Evaluation of gga-miR-126-5p and gga-miR-148a-3p as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Salmonellosis

Abstract

Background: Salmonella is a prevalent contaminant in food sources, capable of infecting multiple host species and contributing to notable public health threats and economic burdens. Early and accurate detection of contamination is essential to ensure food safety. Advancements in molecular biology have underscored the importance of epigenetic elements, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), in modulating the interactions between pathogens and their hosts. Objectives: This research investigates the diagnostic potential of gga-miR-126-5p and gga-miR-148a-3p by analyzing their expression profiles in infected chicken meat samples. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 75 chicken meat samples, comprising 50 Salmonella-positive and 25 Salmonella-negative controls selected from a larger screening pool, were assessed. Following RNA extraction and complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine the expression levels of the selected miRNAs. Results: Analysis revealed a marked elevation in the expression of both gga-miR-126-5p and gga-miR-148a-3p in samples contaminated with Salmonella compared to the control group. Conclusions: The observed upregulation of these two miRNAs in infected tissues highlights their potential as biomarkers for Salmonella detection, as well as their possible involvement in host immune modulation. Future research is warranted to further elucidate their functional targets and clinical significance in infection monitoring.