Abstract
Typhoid fevercaused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi),remains a major public healthconcern, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. The pathogenic success of S. Typhiis driven by a sophisticated array of virulence factors that enable host colonization, immune evasion, systemic dissemination, and long-term persistence. Key determinants include Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS), the Vi capsular polysaccharide, Salmonellapathogenicity islands (SPIs), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and multiple secreted effector proteins. This review aims to summarize the major virulence factors of S. Typhiand elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying host–pathogen interactions, immune modulation, systemic infection, and chronic persistence. It further seeks to highlight recent advances in molecular pathogenesis and genomics that inform vaccine development and novel therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted, focusing on molecular, genetic, and genomic studies of S. Typhivirulence. Peer-reviewed articles addressing T3SS function, SPIs, capsular and surface antigens, intracellular survival strategies, and host immune responses were analyzed to integrate current knowledge on S. Typhipathogenicity. In conclusions: the coordinated action of S. Typhivirulence factors enable efficient invasion, immune evasion, and systemic spread, while specific determinants support survival within host macrophages and persistence in the gallbladder, leading to chronic carriage. Advances in genomics and molecular pathogenesis have deepened understanding of host–pathogen interactions and revealed promising molecular targets for vaccine design and innovative therapeutics. A thorough understanding of S. Typhipathogenic mechanisms is essential for improving typhoid fever prevention, treatment, and control strategies, particularly in endemic regions where the disease burden remains high.
Keywords
pathogenicity
Salmonella Typhi
type III secretion system.
typhoid fever
virulence factors