Salmonella agona Outbreak Linked to Contaminated Snacks
Author Information
Author(s): E. John Threlfall, Michael D. Hampton, Linda R. Ward, Bernard Rowe
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
Can pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) effectively identify and trace the source of Salmonella agona infections during an outbreak?
Conclusion
The study identified a specific strain of Salmonella agona responsible for outbreaks in multiple countries, linked to a contaminated snack.
Supporting Evidence
- Isolates from the contaminated snack and patients who consumed it all belonged to the same Salmonella agona phage type.
- PFGE analysis revealed 11 distinct profiles among the isolates.
- The predominant PFGE profile was found in 51 of the 78 isolates examined.
Takeaway
Scientists found that a type of Salmonella that made people sick came from a snack that was shared across different countries.
Methodology
The study used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to analyze 78 isolates of Salmonella agona from various countries.
Limitations
PFGE typing may not be applicable to all salmonella serotypes and phage types.
Participant Demographics
Most isolates were from children under 10 years of age, particularly Jewish children in London.
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