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Review
. 2025 Apr 23;26(9):3981.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26093981.

Assessing Salmonella Typhi Pathogenicity and Prevention: The Crucial Role of Vaccination in Combating Typhoid Fever

Elena Roxana Buzilă  1   2 , Olivia Simona Dorneanu  1   3 , Felicia Trofin  1   4 , Cristina Mihaela Sima  1   3 , Luminița Smaranda Iancu  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Assessing Salmonella Typhi Pathogenicity and Prevention: The Crucial Role of Vaccination in Combating Typhoid Fever

Elena Roxana Buzilă et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Enteric fever is caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) and Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi (S. Paratyphi) A, B, and C. Globally, an estimated 11 to 21 million cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever occur annually, with approximately 130,000-160,000 deaths, most of which are reported in South/Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The antibiotic susceptibility of S. Typhi strains varies between countries within broad limits, from 3% to 97% for ampicillin, 9% to 95% for ciprofloxacin, 4% to 94% for chloramphenicol (India vs. Pakistan), and 0% to 99% for ceftriaxone (India vs. Iraq). With S. Typhi increasingly exhibiting resistance to antibiotics, vaccination becomes an essential preventive measure. Currently, three vaccines are licensed for typhoid fever: the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), live-attenuated oral vaccine Ty21a (Ty21a), and Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine (Vi-CPS). While no specific vaccine exists for paratyphoid fever, the genetic and antigenic similarities between S. Paratyphi and S. Typhi offer potential for the development of such a vaccine. Early studies show promising results, demonstrating both safety and immunogenicity in preclinical trials. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) provides a powerful tool for assigning genotypes, identifying plasmids, comparing genetic elements, and investigating molecular factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance and virulence.

Keywords: Salmonella Typhi; antibiotic resistance; pathogenicity factors; typhoid fever; typhoid vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Description of antigens of Salmonella Typhi.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overview of Salmonella Typhi vaccines.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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