Development of a custom 16S rRNA gene library for the identification and molecular subtyping of Salmonella enterica

► 16S rRNA partial gene sequences were obtained for 504 isolates of Salmonella enterica. ► Genetic divergence among sequences was too small to differentiate serotypes. ► Sequences were subtyped based on 16S rRNA heterogeneity within and between genomes. ► Partial and full gene sequences were divided into 83 and 58 16S types, respectively. ► 16S types were added to a custom library to detect and differentiate S. enterica.