Molecular Detection of Salmonella Infection Targeting invA gene in Diarrheic Dogs
Saksham Mandawat
*
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Rashmi Singh
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Dharm Singh Meena
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Nirmal Kumar Jeph
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Jyoti
Centre for Diagnosis, Surveillance & Response of Zoonotic Diseases, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Warsha Chaudhary
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Priyanka Meena
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
Vishnu Meena
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jamdoli, RUVAS,Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (302031), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The experiment was conducted from July to December 2024 at the Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), PGIVER, Jaipur, to study the occurrence and molecular detection of Salmonella spp. in clinically suspected dogs using PCR-based diagnostics. Salmonellosis remains a significant public health concern and one of the most common zoonotic diseases globally, affecting both animals and humans. A total of 200 faecal swab samples were collected from diarrheic dogs that were presented for treatment at the veterinary clinical complex, PGIVER, Jaipur, between July and December 2024. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the invA gene, a highly conserved and specific marker for Salmonella detection. PCR conditions were optimised using positive and negative controls. Of the 200 samples, 16(8%) yielded the expected 796 bp amplicon, confirming the presence of Salmonella. The findings highlight the utility of PCR as a rapid, sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of Salmonella spp. in dogs, particularly in clinical cases where conventional culture techniques may be time-consuming. Early and accurate identification of the pathogen can guide timely therapeutic interventions, reduce the risk of transmission to humans and assist in formulating preventive strategies. Furthermore, the 8% positivity rate observed suggests a notable occurrence of Salmonella in diarrheic dogs, underlining the importance of routine screening in veterinary clinical practice. This study also contributes valuable epidemiological data from the Jaipur region and reinforces the role of molecular diagnostics in veterinary medicine.
Keywords: Salmonella, dogs, zoonoses, PCR, invA gene, molecular diagnosis