Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever by Amplification of the Salmonella typhimurium's histidine transport operon in Egyptian Patients

Background: Accurate diagnosis of typhoid fever at an early stage is important. The objective of this study was to diagnose typhoid fever by the amplification of hto gene. Methods: This study comprised 115 patients from different ages experienced the clinical symptoms of typhoid fever. This study was carried out at Mansoura University Hospitals. The blood samples collected were subjected to PCR to target the hto gene of Salmonella Typhi. Results: The PCR technique standardized for hto gene resulted in specific amplicon of 495-bp. In positive PCR cases of typhoid, a single band of 495bp corresponding to hisJ (hto) gene was obtained. The PCR assay was found to be highly specific and sensitive. Conclusion: When exceptional sensitivity is obligatory, PCR technique utilized as a very sensitive and particular test for the presence of salmonella in blood samples. A typhoid fever diagnosis by PCR will provide crucial information on treatment and prevention.