In This Issue

• Update Meeting 2004 • Save the Date 2005 • PulseStar Award Winners • Update Meeting Evaluations • BioNumerics Workshops • Laboratory Profile: Iowa • Publications/Abstracts • Welcomes/Farewells

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 3 • SUMMER 2004

California State Public Health Laboratory. ceptibility testing on the isolates helped to 8th Annual PulseNet Keynote presentations by Dr. Craig Hedberg define the outbreak and reduce the epidemi- of the University of Minnesota School of ological investigation time. Susan Van Update Meeting, Public Health and Dr. Norman Crouch, Duyne and Jana Lockett, both from CDC, pre- Director of the Public Health Laboratory sented “Salmonella Newport MDR strains: April 2004, San Division at the Minnesota Department of Same or Different Clones?” further justifying Diego, CA Health, touched upon what makes PulseNet the use of BlnI patterns and antimicrobial work and how PulseNet has impacted food- resistance profiles to validate the slight differ- Cathy Adams1, Eleanor Lehnkering2, Jan O’Connell3, and Lori Yasuda2 borne disease outbreak recognition and ences observed in XbaI patterns. San Diego County Public Health Laboratory1, Los Angeles County Public investigation in the United States. Both Dave Boxrud of the Minnesota Health Laboratory2, California Department of Health Services, Microbial Diseases Laboratory3 Department of Health presented on a multi- The 8th Annual state outbreak of E.coli PulseNet Update O157:H7 involving Meeting was held vacuum-packed frozen from April 27 to steaks. Dave’s presen- April 30 at the tation reinforced the Holiday Inn on importance of real-time the Bay in San subtyping and timely Diego, California. WebBoard postings This year’s meet- and responses; this out- ing was hosted by break may not have the California Department of Health Services, speakers emphasized that that timely inte- been identified so quickly without the the Los Angeles County Public Health gration of surveillance, subtyping, and epi- PulseNet communication network. Laboratory, and the San Diego County Public demiologic evaluation is essential to maxi- Desmond Jennings of CDC gave an Health Laboratory. mize the effectiveness of PulseNet. A won- update on the status of the Shigella data- More than 170 participants gathered derful reception sponsored by Bio-Rad wel- base and was excited to announce that it is to support the theme of “Getting comed participants and set the mood for our now online. The Shigella database has a Connected.” This year’s meeting focused on “Getting Connected” theme. limited number of S. flexneri patterns; the ways to strengthen communication between The Wednesday morning session, patterns make up only 3% of the entire data- laboratorians and epidemiologists. The opened by Sharon Rolando of APHL, includ- base. Desmond asked that the PulseNet theme also emphasized getting connected ed an update on the 2002 PulseNet Annual participants be “Effective Detectives” and to local and national databases, the Federal Report, which has been posted to the provide as much information as possible PulseNet Laboratories, PulseNet PulseNet WebBoard. Next, Mike McDermott concerning serotyping and demographics International and other molecular typing net- of the Oklahoma Public Health Laboratory when submitting to the database. works, and finally, getting connected to presented on a “Possible Multidrug-Resistant Ana Maria Valle-Rivera, Texas next-generation subtyping methods. Outbreak of Salmonella Newport,” pointing Department of Health, and Paola Bordoni, The meeting opened with a welcome out that subtyping isolates with a second speech by Dr. Paul Kimsey, Director of the enzyme and performing antimicrobial sus- (Continued on page 2)

APHL and PulseNet participants would like to thank the 2004 PulseNet Update Meeting sponsors Bio-Rad and Applied Maths.

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Update Meeting 2004 (Continued from page 1) PulseNet in outbreak investigations, conclud- PulseNet program. The FDA has a growing ing that PFGE results provide standard guid- database of foodborne pathogens, and has CDC, presented on a recent listeriosis out- ance on when to conduct additional genotype connected its various labs through the use of break involving Mexican queso fresco, an analyses and how to proceed with investiga- permanent bundle files. Kristy Kubota, CDC, unpasteurized soft cheese. Both presentations tions. Matt Richardson, Texas Department of presented on extending the network to include stressed the importance of posting patterns to Health, gave an entertaining presentation on Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis. The the WebBoard promptly to allow for real-time how connecting the laboratorians and the epi- dangerous pathogens surveillance network is queries, and showed a difference made by demiologists can result in efficient and timely working to develop databases for the typing rapid detection of a cryptic outbreak. The discovery of clusters and outbreaks. While and tracking of plague and tularemia. Texas epidemiological investigation resulted in describing the investigation of a typhoid fever The next speaker, Chien-Shun Chiou the alerting of local hospitals to the possibility outbreak in Texas linked to the consumption of from Taiwan, shared his experience with of more listeriosis cases and the recommenda- raw oysters, Matt stressed that the cooperation improving PFGE and the current status of molec- tion to the government to strictly enforce the between the epidemiologists and the laborato- ular subtyping in Taiwan. Paul Mola from ban on Mexican queso fresco. rians resulted in the timely detection and clos- Roche gave the inside scoop on restriction CDC’s Collette Fitzgerald presented, ing of the suspected oyster site. The afternoon enzyme chemistry. The late morning breakout “PFGE Subtyping of Campylobacter jejuni – session focused on sharing laboratory concerns What’s the Point? Experience from the PulseNet and ideas for improvement. C. jejuni Database,” which used two recent out- Many of the new features Kelley Hise from CDC introduced the breaks of Campylobacter to illustrate the impor- are geared directly toward theme for the afternoon—Getting Connected: tance of a standardized PulseNet PFGE protocol use in PulseNet’s gel analy- optimizing the national database. Susan and the use of real-time subtyping to greatly Hunter gave an update on improvements made facilitate the epidemiologic investigations of C. sis; 3-D models of banding, to PulseNet software, including the new master jejuni outbreaks. Collette also announced that a contingency tables, and scripts and bundle tools that will make analysis certification set of seven isolates is ready to be minimum spanning trees are and submitting of patterns easier. Robert Long sent out to requesting laboratories, and that the just a few of the tools high- of CDC did an excellent job explaining the col- Campylobacter database is scheduled to be lighted in the presentation. laboration between PulseNet and the online in summer 2004. Laboratory Response Network (LRN). Paul After lunch, Michael Lynch of CDC pre- ended with a poster session sponsored by Vauterin, Applied Maths, described new fea- sented on the jargon of the epidemiology Applied Maths. There were 13 posters pre- tures of BioNumerics version 3.5 and gave a world, a great lecture for lab folk! Roshan sented during the session. sneak preview of some features in version 4.0. Reporter, Los Angeles County Department of Thursday morning started with an Many of the new features are geared directly Health Services, stressed the need for appro- update by Emilio Esteban on how USDA-FSIS toward use in PulseNet’s gel analysis; 3-D mod- priate education and hygiene for food handlers laboratories are getting connected. Next, els of banding, contingency tables, and mini- who could potentially be the sources of wide- Thomas Donkar talked about ongoing activi- mum spanning trees are just a few of the tools spread outbreaks if they continue to work while ties at FDA, and how CVM, CFSAN, and highlighted in the presentation. Susan Van they are ill. Chris Braden from CDC spoke next ORA benefit from their participation in the Duyne and Christine Steward addressed the about molecular epidemiology and the role of issues surrounding gel quality and band mark- ing. The mismarking of bands is impacting the May surveillance of data and causing a negative 11 effect on the course of epidemiological investi- 2005 PULSENET UPDATE gations. Laboratories should strive to improve EETING TO BE ELD IN the quality of gels; better gels provide M H Save the date improved band resolution that eases the mark- SEATTLE, WA ing of the bands, and correct marking of the bands improves the surveillance of data. Ravi The 9th Annual PulseNet Pallipamu, Washington State Department of Update Meeting, hosted by the Health, gave a helpful talk on streamlining Washington State Department of Health, will be PFGE through the implementation of time-sav- held May 9th through 11th, 2005, at the Westin in Seattle, ing practices such as pre-aliquoting reagents. Washington. APHL and CDC thank the Washington State The third breakout session, which was Department of Health for its assistance in choosing the venue for given a rousing introduction by Laura our next meeting. We look forward to seeing all of the PulseNet Kornstein of New York City Department of participants at the meeting in Seattle. Participants may wish to Health, covered a range of topics, including consider attending the 7th International Meeting on Microbial analysis and interpretation of results, software Molecular Markers (IMMEM) to be held in Victoria, British issues, database management, and applica- Columbia, Canada immediately following the Update Meeting. tions of PFGE data in outbreak investigations. (Continued on page 3)

www.cdc.gov/pulsenet 2 Update Meeting 2004 (Continued from page 2) nization between WebBoard and EpiX post- ings, and area meetings with an epi/lab com- Connecting internationally, PulseNet Latin Kudos to the 2004 ponent. Some points discussed in the America and PulseNet Asia-Pacific presented on “Laboratory Issues” session included: gel quali- PulseStar Award their recent and upcoming PulseNet activities. ty, reagents, troubleshooting, and types of The game show, “PulseNut Feud,” was media used. Finally, the “Software Winners and Special lead by Dr. Marcus Head from USDA-FSIS as Communications” session discussed the expan- the returning host, and a newcomer this year, Recognition Awardees sion of the quarterly reports to connect PFGE Paola Bordoni from CDC. Thanks to the willing Sharon Rolando MHS, MT (ASCP,) PulseNet Program Manager, Association of patterns with the outcome of the outbreak and and well-informed “family members” from both Public Health Laboratories, Washington, DC to relate this to the frequency of a pattern. teams, the game was entertaining for all. The On behalf of all PulseNet participants, APHL and Peter Gerner-Smidt and Lai-King Ng evening was wrapped up aboard the Lord the CDC PulseNet Task Force would like to con- gave updates on PulseNet Europe and Hornblower for a wonderful, narrated cruise on gratulate the three winners of the 2004 PulseStar PulseNet Canada, respectively. PulseNet the San Diego Bay. The perfect weather, deli- Awards: Ravi Pallipamu from the Washington Europe is hoping to have a fully functional data- cious appetizers, and great company made State Department of Health, Chris Carlson from base system and infrastructure in place by this a highlight of the meeting. the South Dakota Department of Health, and 2005, an active QA system by 2006, and all Friday’s session started with highlights Donna Wrigley from the State of Maine Health participants trained by 2007. Christine from the breakout sessions given by Dave and Environmental Testing Laboratory. All of this Steward outlined a new standard for certifica- Boxrud, Chris Carlson, and Laura Kornstein. year’s 19 nominees were strong candidates who tion and proficiency testing, specifically that Feedback from the “Communication between should be proud of the work they have done and TIFF grading will be more stringent, the in-house Lab and Epi” breakout session underlined con- continue to do for PulseNet. gel certification process is in review, and the cerns from laboratories that they need more The PulseStar Award is presented annual- Web-based certification and proficiency testing feedback from epidemiology, better synchro- ly by APHL and the PulseNet Task Force at CDC (PT) tracking system is under development. to one or more PulseNet participants whose Ravi Pallipamu updated the status of ORSA on efforts have contributed significantly to the PulseNet and noted that a standardized ORSA advancement of PulseNet activities in public APHL PRESIDENT’S protocol and certification set is available to all health during the previous year. Each winner labs that would like to subtype this organism. ETTER ISCUSSES was presented with a plaque and a check for L D Steve Monroe discussed the status of $500 from APHL at the 2004 PulseNet Update CaliciNet/IDMEDS, a norovirus sequence PULSENET’S ROLE IN Meeting in San Diego, California. database containing approximately 2,400 Ravi Pallipamu has been active in PUBLIC HEALTH sequence records. Alison Drake gave an PulseNet activities for many years, during which update on connecting PulseNet, NARMS, and The current President of APHL’s board of directors is he has continually and proactively offered his FoodNet data. assistance and expertise to all staff members from Dr. Norman Crouch from the Minnesota Public Alyssa Bumbaugh, Christine Pederson, the laboratories in the Washington area. Ravi is Health Laboratory. In the President’s letter section of Sandra Smole, and Leslie Wolf discussed their , a frequent speaker at the PulseNet Update the current issue of the APHL, Minute Dr. Crouch projects related to next-generation subtyping Meeting, where he shares his experiences in highlights the vital role PulseNet plays in public methods for Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli Washington State with the rest of the network. health, and specifically in foodborne disease surveil- O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes, respec- Over the past year, Ravi’s work in the tively. Much work has been accomplished in lance. This letter and the entire issue of the Minute Washington State Public Health Laboratories has this area, and many are hopeful that technology can be found at www.aphl.org/docs/newsletter/ been invaluable for several epidemiologic investi- transfer to other PulseNet labs might take place March-April%202004.pdf. gations. During the investigation of two outbreaks later this summer. Finally, Bala Swaminathan (one involving Salmonella Enteritidis and the other gave a wrap-up of the meeting and involving Bordetella pertussis), Ravi screened iso- announced the dates lates using dozens of additional restriction and location for the COMING SOON: enzymes in order to help distinguish outbreak 9th Annual PulseNet strains. Ravi has named 3000 isolates in several Update Meeting: May different genera to establish a library of PFGE pat- PULSENET MASTER SCRIPTS V2 AND 9 to May 11, 2005, terns for comparisons, and has developed daily, at the Westin hotel in CAMPYLOBACTER DATABASE SCRIPTS yearly, and historical reports for the Washington Seattle, WA. Mark State epidemiology office. Ravi’s enthusiasm and A Web/conference call is anticipated at the time of the your calendars!! commitment strengthen the PFGE section and the distribution of Master Scripts v2 to introduce the new Thank you to the ability of the Washington Department of Health to Campylobacter client scripts and improvements for other San Diego hosts, CDC, offer services to its partners. databases. Please continue to let us know what changes and APHL! and additions you would like to see by emailing us at Chris Carlson also has been an [email protected]. important part of PulseNet for many years. Chris consistently produces high quality PFGE

www.cdc.gov/pulsenet 3 TM News gels, which he posts to the PulseNet WebBoard Recognition award was presented to the when appropriate. He provides rapid PFGE Molecular Typing Team at the Virginia analysis of enteric isolates and relays PFGE Division of Consolidated Laboratory results to epidemiologists in a timely manner. Services (DCLS). The first-ever PulseNet Ravi Pallipamu Donna Wrigley Chris Carlson He manages to do this despite having many Workshop for food industry participants David Elliott, and Kim Ferguson. PulseNet would other responsibilities at the South Dakota Public was held in Richmond, VA, in the fall of 2003. like to thank the entire staff at DCLS for hosting Health Laboratory, such as performing West The laboratory staff at DCLS went to extreme this workshop. Nile virus testing, managing the ELC grant for measures to host an incredibly organized and APHL and CDC appreciate the ongoing his state, and giving public presentations on well-run workshop, despite hazardous weather efforts of all members of the PulseNet Network. behalf of his laboratory. Chris also has volun- conditions, including a hurricane and tornados. Your timely and conscientious work continues to teered for other PulseNet responsibilities, such Members of the Molecular Typing Team who help in the investigation and prevention of food- as the 2004 Update Meeting agenda commit- were recognized for their efforts were Denise borne illness. tee. Chris is a dedicated scientist and is very Toney, Elise Smith, Francis Tannor, Kelly Felkey, deserving of the PulseStar Award. Donna Wrigley has been instrumental 2004 PULSENET in enhancing Maine’s surveillance for food- borne/enteric illnesses through timely PFGE test- ing and PulseNet reporting. For over five years, Update Meeting Evaluation Form Summary Donna has been an advocate for PFGE testing and reporting to PulseNet for identifying out- Melissa Butler, Microbiologist, PulseNet Methods Development and Validation BioNumerics/database updates including band mark- breaks in Maine as well as in the nation. In Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA ing, cluster definitions, etc. (19); next-generation 2003, due to her commitment to PulseNet, 100% A majority of this year’s attendees were subtyping methods (11); outbreak investigations of Salmonella isolates serotyped by the Maine impressed by the quality of content and level (11); lab troubleshooting (9); and lab-epi State Laboratory were subtyped by at least one of organization of the event! The final num- interactions (8). enzyme and submitted to the PulseNet National ber of registrants for the meeting reached • The quality of presentations was appreciated by all. Database. As a result, she recently identified a 173. Thirty-seven percent of meeting atten- Many noted outstanding presentations such as Matt large outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in dees completed and submitted an evaluation Richardson’s “When Mollusks Attack! Typhoid Fever Maine. This initiated an investigation of a multi- form. Their comments and suggestions are in Texas,” Michael Lynch’s “The Chamber of Epi state outbreak of Salmonella DT104. During the greatly appreciated and will be taken into Secrets,” and Ravi Pallipamu’s “Streamlining PFGE investigation of this outbreak, Donna used consideration for planning the 2005 Work in WA State.” PulseNet as an important tool with which to iden- PulseNet Update Meeting. tify cases in Maine as well as cases throughout • The training sessions for both BioNumerics and the country. She expedited PFGE testing and Laboratory Troubleshooting were helpful to many PulseNet reporting for Maine, communicated reg- Highlights from the survey: participants. Regarding the BioNumerics training sessions, one person emphasized “how useful hands- ularly with other states that reported matching • The theme this year, “Getting Connected,” was well on help is when it comes to software.” And in refer- patterns on PulseNet, and regularly reported received by all the participants of the survey. In ence to the Laboratory Troubleshooting session, one PulseNet results to the principal investigators of fact, the theme was unanimously considered appro- person observed that the format of the session was the outbreak. In addition to this outbreak, priate for the meeting by all persons who filled out a great for discussing ways to improve gel quality. Donna also identified Maine’s connections survey. One person elaborated, saying connectivity with other state outbreaks, including national issues are important and hoped that everyone • Sunny San Diego proved to be a delightful location outbreaks of Salmonella Newport and attending the meeting will return to their respective for the meeting! Everyone loved the cruise on San Salmonella Muenchen. Donna has proven her labs sharing this sentiment. Diego Bay. People did not want the meeting to end! dedication and commitment to PulseNet, as The relaxed atmosphere aboard the ship allowed • Breakout sessions were helpful to the majority of she recognizes the importance of Pulse-Net’s people to make new acquaintances and catch up with people who responded to the survey. Many thought- role in surveillance and ultimately preventing fur- people from last year’s meeting. ther transmission of disease. ful suggestions were offered toward improving the In addition to the three PulseStar awards, effectiveness of these sessions next year. Several Thank you to all who contributed to the meet- CDC presented two Special Recognition awards. people said they enjoyed the mixing of area labs so ing, whether by planning and organizing, Dr. Kai-Man Kam of the Public Health Laboratory that people who might not otherwise interact could presenting, or attending. Your hard work Centre in Hong Kong received an award for his get acquainted and make contacts for future support. and contributions helped make this year’s continued efforts toward building and improving In effect, the breakout sessions helped to facilitate meeting enjoyable to all! Approximately the PulseNet Asia-Pacific Network. This network one goal of the meeting this year: “Getting 80% of the people who submitted a survey includes 13 countries/areas and recently held its Connected.” expect to attend the 2005 PulseNet Update first PFGE and BioNumerics workshop in Hong • When queried as to which topics were of most inter- Meeting. We look forward to seeing all of Kong. Dr. Kam is the Chair of the PulseNet Asia- est to attendees, the top five responses were: you again next year! Pacific Steering Committee. The second Special

www.cdc.gov/pulsenet 4 TM News TM LaboratoryLaboratory ProfileProfile BioNumerics Software Workshops for IOWA PulseNet Participants Alison Houston, MT (ASCP), ed. The Public Health Microbiologist, full-time Held in San Diego University of Iowa Hygienic technolo- Laboratory, Iowa City, Iowa Jennifer Kincaid, E. coli Database Manager; Jana Lockett, Salmonella gist, Alison Database Manager, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA The University of Iowa Hygienic Houston, and Kristy Kubota, MPH, Research Microbiologist, Centers for Disease Control Laboratory (UHL) is celebrating its cen- was hired and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO tennial anniversary this year. The lab- by the UHL L-R Kris Hardin, Mary DeMartino, Alison Houston, Two BioNumerics workshops, for beginning oratory, created by the Iowa General in August of and Larry Holcomb and intermediate levels, were conducted prior Assembly in April 1904, is a perma- 2000, and began working with from WebBoard postings. When to the 8th Annual PulseNet Meeting in San nent part of the University of Iowa. It is PulseNet in January of 2001. In addi- requested, the section also assists Diego, CA. The one-and-a-half-day sessions one of two state public health laborato- tion to doing PFGE, Alison rotates hospitals in the state of Iowa with were held on the Monday and Tuesday pre- ries (Wisconsin is the other) that are through the rabies section regularly, DNA fingerprinting nosocomial ceding the meeting along with an open part of a state university. teaches medical technology students pathogens such as: Staphylococcus BioNumerics session on Tuesday afternoon. The initial purpose of the UHL was about PFGE, and is the backup in the aureus and methicillin-resistant Brenda Brown, who is responsible for com- to identify and study diphtheria, TB/Mycology lab. When Alison is Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); puter network support for PulseNet, set up rabies, tuberculosis (TB), and typhoid pulled away because of other labora- Enterococcus spp; and vancomycin- server databases for both workshops so the fever diseases prevalent in Iowa and tory needs or has an especially large resistant Enterococcus (VRE), participants could complete their training exer- the nation at the beginning of the 20th specimen volume, Larry Holcomb and Streptococcus pneumoniae, cises as if they were in their own laboratories. century. Today, some 200 individuals Mary DeMartino help out with the lab- Enterobacter spp., and Serratia Most of the exercises consisted of working on work from three labs located in Iowa oratory testing portion of the PFGE sec- marcescens. past outbreak scenarios so that participants City and Des Moines. The UHL is still tion. Kris Hardin, a health laboratory In 2001, the lab participated in a were able to practice uploading entries to a scientist with an epidemiology back- joint project with a group at the PulseNet server, and create PulseNet bundle carrying out testing for some of the ground, helps with the PFGE data National Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in files and WebBoard postings. original diseases as well as a host of emerging diseases, such as SARS and analysis and reporting results. Ames, Iowa, where DNA fingerprinting Beginning BioNumerics Workshop West Nile virus. Other activities the Alison completed the PulseNet was used to track Salmonella PFGE pat- UHL is involved with include bioterror- PFGE training at CDC in June of 2002 terns from individual cows and farm The participants learned the BioNumerics installation ism testing, newborn metabolic screen- and is certified by CDC for E. coli and environments and then compare the process, the steps necessary to analyze a TIFF image, to ing, environmental testing, and food- Shigella. Her certifications for Listeria results to abattoir patterns to discern link data to the gel lanes, and to submit the pattern and borne disease surveillance. and Salmonella have been submitted. where contamination occurs and how it corresponding data to the PulseNet online databases. The UHL has been conducting Iowa has been fingerprinting every is spread. Most recently, the lab assist- Participants then learned to perform comparisons and isolate of Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, ed the environmental section with the searches in their local database and the national database. foodborne disease surveillance as a part of PulseNet since 1998. The PFGE and E. coli O157:H7 since 2002, with use of the Riboprinter® for bacterial Intermediate BioNumerics Workshop section was established in the an average 600 to 700 of these food- source tracking in surface water. Twenty participants from PulseNet participating U.S. public Microbiology Department at the Iowa borne disease isolates each year. The Currently, the UHL is aiding a regional health laboratories and food regulatory agencies learned City Laboratory by Larry Holcomb. majority of the isolates are Salmonella hospital with the comparison of envi- methods for managing their local databases, importing Larry and several EID fellows kept the (approximately 400/year), followed ronmental strains of Legionella pneu- Microsoft Excel worksheets into BioNumerics, and a variety PFGE section running until January by E. coli O157:H7 (approximately mophilia to clinical strains. of more advanced BioNumerics data handling capabilities. 2001, when a full-time PFGE technolo- 100/year), and Shigella (approximate- The PFGE section is constantly striv- In addition, composite datasets consisting of more than one gist could be hired. This section is a ly 70/year). Listeria, at present, is not ing to improve. It has increased the experiment type and advanced clustering techniques were nice complement to the rapidly grow- a prominent foodborne pathogen in number and type of organisms that are presented. ing molecular biology section, which Iowa, where only one to three clinical fingerprinted as well as decreased turn- BioNumerics Open Session instituted PCR testing in 1994. The UHL isolates are received per year. around times. The section looks for- presently has PCR and sequence-based In addition to the foodborne ward to incorporating the new and An open session was held on Tuesday afternoon (before the assays for B. pertussis, norovirus, West pathogens routinely fingerprinted as a upcoming fingerprinting techniques, as PulseNet Update Meeting), CDC and Applied Maths personnel Nile virus, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, L. part of PulseNet, the PFGE section well as adding additional organisms to were available to answer questions on BioNumerics, PulseNet pneumophilia, enteroviruses, Rickettsia, has performed molecular strain PulseNet as those databases become client customization scripts, and image analysis issues for all typing on Campylobacter jejuni, available. The UHL hopes to continue Update Meeting participants. Computers with BioNumerics RSV, and HIV-1 proviral DNA. Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium per- providing its valuable services to the and PulseNet client customization scripts were available for The UHL PFGE section has one state of Iowa and to PulseNet, and is participants to use and receive one-on-one assistance. full-time technologist and three other fringens, and Neisseria meningitidis Evaluations from both workshops and comments from those technologists who backup the section for cluster investigations initiated by looking forward to future challenges. who participated in the open sessions indicated that the work- and help with surge capacity as need- our own state health department or shops were extremely successful.

www.cdc.gov/pulsenet 5 To receive regular copies of the PulseNet News, PulseNet News send your request to: A Publication of: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PulseNet News The PulseNet News editorial committee: National Center for Infectious Diseases, c/o PulseNet Database Administration team, ([email protected]) Bala Swaminathan, Shari Rolando, Mary Ann Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, 1600 Clifton Road, NE Lambert-Fair, Susan Hunter, Efrain Ribot, Susan Van Mailstop CO3 Atlanta, GA 30333 Duyne, Jennifer Kincaid, Kelley Hise, Nehal Patel, Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch. and Kristan Kiser. Tel: 404-639-4558 • Fax: 404-639-3333

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Publications and Abstracts E. coli analysis and cluster identification. • Eileen Huston — Microbiologist III or Jason Allen, Phone: (204) 789- Molly comes to us from Emory University (Serotyping/PulseNet Activities) 5012, Email: [email protected] • Kincaid J, Head M, Hise K, Hunter S, where she received her B.S. in Biology in • Ana Maria Valle-Rivera, Ph.D. – • Thomas Donkar from FDA/CFSAN Jones J, Kubota K, Swaminathan B. May 2003. Microbiologist VI (Team Leader) will be attending medical school in the Commonality of PFGE Patterns • Merritt Adams joined the CDC fall. His last day with PulseNet is June among Clinical and Food Isolates PulseNet database Administration team in Farewells 25, 2004. Thomas has been a part of within the PulseNet E. coli July 2004. She will be working primarily • Suzanne Barth, Ph.D., from the Texas PulseNet since its inception in 1996. O157:H7 National Database. with Campylobacter analysis and cluster State Health Department, has retired as We will miss him, and wish him contin- American Society for Microbiology (ASM) identification, but will also assist with all Microbiological Investigations Section ued success. presented in New Orleans, Louisiana, the other bacteria as well. Merritt is a Team Leader. • The new contact is: Christine Keys, May 2004. 2002 graduate of Northwestern • Adam Toguchi, Ph.D., from the Texas Phone: (301) 436-2247, Email: • Hise K, Lin C, Zhang L, Bordoni P, Mauro University, where she received her BA in State Health Department, has moved to [email protected] L, Norton D, Sobel J, Toguchi A, Barth S, Environmental Sciences. the Bioterrorism Investigations Avashia S, Richardson M, Gaul L, Abell • The former Texas Department of Health Section. A, McAndrew S, Rowe D, Sorenson W, Microbiological Investigations Section that • Jamie Munro from the OW WOULD YOU LIKE Linn M, Long S, Graves L, Swaminathan housed the PulseNet activities has fused Canadian National H B. Laboratory Investigation of a with the Molecular Biology Section. The Microbiology Laboratory has TO RECEIVE THE PULSENET Listeria monocytogenes Outbreak new Molecular Biology Section houses left Winnipeg to take a posi- Associated with Consumption of PulseNet activities and molecular diagnos- tion as Project Manager with NEWSLETTER? Soft Cheese. 91st Annual Meeting of tics. We would like to welcome the follow- the Pest Management the International Association for Food ing laboratorians: Regulatory Agency in Currently, subscribers to the PulseNet quarterly Protection (IAFP), presented in Phoenix, • Chun Wang — Microbiologist V Ottawa. We would like to newsletter receive a hard copy in the mail. The Arizona, August 8-11, 2004. (Molecular Diagnostics Activities) thank him for his tireless newsletter is also available electronically on the Welcomes/Farewells • Adrienne Garcia – Microbiologist V efforts toward improving WebBoard and on the PulseNet website (Molecular Diagnostics Activities) PulseNet Canada. He will be (www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/news.htm). If you would like From around the nation • Grace Kubin Ph.D. – Microbiologist V greatly missed by all, but we we welcome: (PulseNet Activities) wish him and his family well. to stop receiving the hard-copy version and either • Eric Casey – Microbiologist IV (PulseNet • The new contacts are: receive the electronic version via e-mail or access it • Molly Joyner joined the CDC PulseNet Activities) Lorelee Tschetter, Phone: via the website or WebBoard, please send your Database Administration team in April • David Stringer – Microbiologist III (204) 789-5067, Email: request to the PFGE inbox at [email protected] with the [email protected], 2004 and will be working primarily with (Serotyping/PulseNet Activities) subject line: PulseNet Newsletter.

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