Molecular identification of virulence features of Salmonella enterica isolated from fresh chicken meat sold at retail shops and markets in Peshawar, Pakistan

Salmonella enterica is an important agent of food borne illnesses in humans. Poultry meat and products are easily contaminated with different strains of Salmonella enterica. Consumption of such food causes salmonellosis in human. The aim of present investigation was to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in fresh chicken meat available in retail shops and markets at District Peshawar, Pakistan and survey the prevalence of virulence associated genes in the isolated Salmonella enterica. Fresh chicken meat samples were collected from retail shops and markets at District Peshawar, Pakistan. The samples were processed for isolation of Salmonella enterica using selective media. Presumptive isolates were confirmed as Salmonella enterica via different biochemical tests and by amplification of invA gene. Ninety samples were contaminated with Salmonella enterica out of 150 chicken meat samples. Isolates were tested for the presence of eight different virulence genes invA, spiA, cdtB, prgH, orgA, lpfC, sopB, and pefA. The prevalence of virulence genes was: invA (100%), lfpC(48.8%),sopB (44.4%),orgA (30%), 2spiA (26.6%),pefA (21.1%), prgH (20%) and cdtB (6.6%). Genetic profiles P1-P26 were identified based on the occurrence of virulence genes among the isolates. The findings of this study highlight an alarming public health risk and demand for strict bio-safety hygiene measures to be taken.