Novel virulence properties of non-typhoidal Salmonella associated with epidemics in bloodstream infection

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease is causing a global epidemic of bloodstream infection. Salmonella bacteria are targeting HIV-infected adults and immune-suppressed children, killing 388,000 people each year across Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the clinical picture is well established, there has been a lack of basic research into this neglected disease. Professor Hinton’s research will identify the specific properties of the new types of Salmonella that are responsible for the African clinical syndrome. Using a multidisciplinary approach involving functional genomics and comparative transcriptomics, this project will contribute to our understanding of the evolution of virulence in bacterial pathogens.