Molecular Diversity And Phylogenetic Characterization Of The InvA Gene in Non-Typhoidal Salmonella From Domestic Animals and Wildlife in Zambia

Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonella remains a significant zoonotic pathogen with substantial implications for animal and public health, particularly in regions where domestic animals and wildlife share ecological interfaces. The invasion protein A (invA) gene is widely used as a molecular marker for detecting Salmonella; however, its sequence variability across host species in sub-Saharan Africa remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize nucleotide diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the invA gene among Salmonella isolates obtained from domestic animals and free-ranging wildlife in selected regions of Zambia.