Resumo

CHACON, Luz; BARRANTES, Kenia; GARCIA, Cristina  e  ROSARIO, Achí. Standardization of a PRC method for the detection of the Salmonella spp. invA gene in lettuce. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2010, vol.30, n.1, pp.18-23. ISSN 1315-2556.

Salmonella spp. is a very important bacterial pathogen that causes diarrhea and which is transmitted both through the fecal-oral pathway, as by contaminated food and water. In this study we standardized a PCR method in lettuce for the detection of the Salmonella spp. invA gene. This gene is related to the invasion of the intestinal epithelium process. With the PCR method developed in this study we were able to standardize a method which permits the amplification of the invA gene with a 10² CFU/25 g detection. This method shortens the response times of the presumptive results and gives complementary information to the traditional culture of the pathogen. The study of the invA gene establishes the pathogenic potential of the microorganism present in the sample, which can be useful for public health purposes.

Palavras-chave : Salmonella spp; invA gene; PCR; lettuce.