Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) for genotyping of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Infantis isolated from human sources

Salmonella is an important cause of food-borne infection worldwide. Detection of outbreaks caused by Salmonella spp. relies on suitable and robust methods for genotyping. Little is known about the genetic diversity of the Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Infantis strains isolated from human sources in Iran. In this study, 40 isolates of S. Infantis, which were previously recovered from patients with gastroenteritis or diarrhea in Tehran between years 2007 and 2009, were subjected to multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and ERIC-PCR. Using MLVA method, 31 types were identified. The MLVA clustering of the isolates by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) revealed the presence of two major clusters. The discriminatory power of MLVA was superior to that of PFGE and ERIC-PCR. Overall, our data showed that MLVA assay could effectively differentiate closely related strains. It is technically simple and inexpensive to perform. Furthermore, MLVA can be used as a helpful method for epidemiological investigations.