Abstract:Abstract: [Objective] Salmonella isolates isolated from retail meats in Shaanxi Province in 2007-2008 were characterized to determine their serotypes and genotypes. [Methods] Serotyping of 359 Salmonella was performed using slide agglutination method using Salmonella hyperimmune sera, whereas genomic DNA profiles were obtained using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI. The data were analyzed and a dendrogram was generated using the BioNumerics Software. [Results] A total of 24 serotypes were identified among the 359 Salmonella isolates. The most common serotypes were Enteritidis, Typhimurium, Shubra, Indiana and Derby. Other serotypes were also identified, including Saintpaul, Rideau, Tennessee, Thompson, Galiema, Kallo, Ⅲa, Rissen and Brancaster. Enteritidis and Rideau were most common in chicken and beef, respectively, whereas Derby was most common in in pork and lamb. Seven PFGE clusters were observed among the 359 isolates with 88% similarity. Salmonella isolates with the same serotypes were assigned to the same clusters with only a few exceptions. [Conclusion] Salmonella present in retail meats were phenotypically and genotypically diverse. A database on serotyping and molecular subtyping of Salmonella will enable us better understand the epidemiology of foodborne salmonellosis and identify their source more rapidly and accurately.