Detection and Characterization of Salmonella enterica Serotypes by Simple PCR Technologies

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular-based technology that has revolutionized diagnostics and characterization of pathogens, and thus affecting how we understand disease landscape. This technology has been found amenable to application on various strategies for management and control of infectious diseases. The main advantage with PCR technologies, when applied optimally, is the high sensitivity and short-turn-around time for results, thus rendering the strategy attractive to researchers in infectious diseases and public health. In this chapter, we describe PCR approaches that are innovative and easy to deploy in a laboratory with medium range infrastructure investment.