[Molecular biological basis for the virulence of salmonellae and the new detection methods resulting from it]

Molecular biological investigations on Salmonella isolates allowed the definition of several fundamental mechanisms of pathogenicity. They affect the confrontation of the pathogen with host defence mechanisms and colonization of the gut and other organs. Practical implications stem from the observation that especially the virulence plasmid carrying serotypes are able to cause systemic infections. Among them are the epidemiological relevant serotypes S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium. Our understanding of basic virulence mechanisms allows the development of new, faster and more sensitive diagnostic procedures. Among them are the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and magnetic separation techniques using monoclonal antibodies coupled to superparamagnetic polystyrene beads. Presently both techniques are under development for commercial use for Salmonella detection as well.