Distribution of virulence genes across NTS bacteremic isolates.

The presence-absence of genes associated with Salmonella virulence were determined in five S. Typhimurium stool isolates (115043, 88359, 93561, 98001, 130100) and five blood isolates (103259, 111682, 116449, 93130, 98666) in addition to 11 invasive strains from serovars Schwarzengrund (124983), 9,12:l,v:- (94293), Bredeney (96115), Choleraesuis (90958), Dublin (74007), Enteritidis (122205), Hadar (121851), Heidelberg (78646), Montevideo (111072), Newport (91532) and Virchow (103033). Where not stated otherwise, presence was determined by CGH using the Salmonella STv7E microarray. a, presence was determined or confirmed by southern blot; b, presence was determined or confirmed by PCR. A plus sign indicates the presence of the gene; white blocks indicate an absence; a variable presence among the blood or stool isolates of S. Typhimurium is shown by the number of positive isolates/ total number of isolates (N = 5); ND, no data (CGH was not conclusive).