DOCSLIB.ORG

Pulsenet: 20 Years of Making Food Safer to Eat

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pulsenet: 20 Years of Making Food Safer to Eat PulseNet: 20 years of making food safer to eat CENTRAL PILLAR OF US FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM PulseNet PulseNet is a national network of laboratories that solves outbreaks of foodborne by the numbers: disease. PulseNet scientists detect outbreaks—large and small—by connecting the dots between cases of similar illness that are happening anywhere in the country. 1 billion PulseNet investigations have brought about lasting changes in food industry Pounds of contaminated food recalled practices and new regulations that have made our food safer. since PulseNet was launched $507 million HOW Saved each year (medical costs and lost PulseNet works productivity) with quick outbreak detection 1 million DNA fingerprinting DNA fingerprints of foodborne bacteria 1 technology identifies the in the PulseNet USA database bacteria making people sick 89,000 Database managers check the Record number of DNA fingerprints of 2 national databases for more-than- bacteria submitted to PulseNet in 2015 expected numbers of matching DNA fingerprints, or clusters, from anywhere in the US 1,500 Clusters of illness from Salmonella, E. coli, Alert state and local health and Listeria infections annually identified 3 departments about a by PulseNet member labs possible outbreak 280 PulseNet scientists work with Multistate clusters of illness caused 4 FDA and USDA/FSIS* officials, by Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria infections epidemiologists, and environmental identified by PulseNet each year health specialists to identify the contaminated food 83 Federal, regional, state, and local 5 Public alerted of the outbreak laboratories in the PulseNet network 40 Manufacturer may voluntarily Clusters of human illnesses tracked weekly 6 recall the contaminated food *FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) USDA/FSIS (US Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service) “APHL is proud of its long-standing connection The story of PulseNet to PulseNet, from the first In the beginning... software purchases to there were contaminated hamburgers whole genome sequencing.” Scott J. Becker, Executive Director, Association of Public Health Laboratories In 1993, more than 700 people got sick and 4 died in the western United States after eating at a large fast-food chain. It took public health investigators 39 days to determine that these illnesses were connected and that it was an outbreak. And it also took more A Tale of Two Outbreaks than a month after the first person fell ill to identify the culprit: hamburgers contaminated with a deadly type of E. coli bacteria. This outbreak spurred foodborne disease experts at CDC to find a way to speed up detection of foodborne outbreaks. BEFORE PulseNet A few years later, in partnership with the Association of Public 1993 Outbreak of E. coli in western states Health Laboratories (APHL), federal partners, and public health labs in 4 states, CDC created PulseNet. The goal was to days to detect outbreak: create databases that would be the central repository for DNA 39 fingerprints extracted from gut bacteria of patients with foodborne disease. Public health laboratories around the United States 726 ill, 4 deaths could submit these DNA fingerprints to PulseNet, which would be managed by CDC. When investigators searched the PulseNet databases and discovered that several ill people had bacteria with the same DNA fingerprint, they would suspect an outbreak. AFTER PulseNet Now, every state has at least one public health laboratory that 2002 Outbreak of E. coli in Colorado uses PulseNet’s technology and can access its databases of close to 1 million fingerprints of bacteria. Because it has connected days to detect outbreak: the dots between current illnesses and stored DNA fingerprints, 18 PulseNet has revolutionized the way foodborne outbreaks are detected and investigated. 44 ill, 0 deaths PulseNet’s 20-year history of making food safer to eat Outbreak of a deadly form of CDC, the Association of Public Traces a Salmonella infections in western states: Health Laboratories, federal PulseNet wins 2nd Innovations E. coli multistate outbreak to WGS used for routine > 700 illnesses; 4 children died. partners, and public health in American Government Award peanut butter/peanut surveillance of Listeria, Highlights the need for a network labs in 4 states launch a (also won in 1999) for excellence Begins using WGS on products; 700 illnesses, Campylobacter, and E. coli to identify DNA fingerprints of new foodborne surveillance and creativity in the public sector 9 deaths in 46 states, illnesses caused by at CDC and in states with foodborne bacteria network called PulseNet > 3,000 products recalled Listeria infection genetic sequencing capacity 2001 2006 2010 2014 1993 1996 2002 2009 2013 2016 1st time whole-genome PulseNet goes nationwide; Identifies spinach as sequencing (WGS) used “PulseNet and Beyond” project all 50 state public health labs source of E. coli outbreak; in a foodborne disease consolidates identification of perform DNA fingerprinting 225 sickened and 5 investigation. PulseNet uses foodborne bacteria into a single, of foodborne bacteria deaths in 27 states; WGS on samples from a fast, and efficient process under prompts nationwide recall cholera outbreak in Haiti Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) PulseNet has made these foods safer to eat: Peanut butter, Sprouts, Eggs, Tree nuts, Poultry products, Leafy greens, Case study: Tomatoes, Frozen entrees, Lunch meat, Spices, Melons Listeria-contaminated caramel apples In November 2014, PulseNet scientists PulseNet in action: Making food safer detected two clusters of illness (35 people from 12 states, including 7 who Food safety requires that we pay close attention infection to raw almonds grown in California. died) caused by the foodborne bacteria to every step in the food supply chain, from farm The outbreak prompted regulators to mandate Listeria. Using traditional lab analysis to fork. Diligent efforts by farmers, producers, that almonds for sale in the United States methods, the scientists linked sick patients who were likely to have eaten distributors, regulators, and consumers have be pasteurized (by fumigation or hot steam the same contaminated food. They also made the US food supply among the safest treatment) to control the problem and prevent used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in the world. Nevertheless, an estimated 48 similar outbreaks in the future. to more precisely determine which million people, or 1 in 6 Americans, get sick illnesses were linked. Armed with this Outbreak investigations supported by information, investigators interviewed every year from foodborne illnesses. That is PulseNet help scientists find gaps in food patients about foods they had eaten where PulseNet comes in. safety systems that would otherwise be and identified a new source of Listeria infection: caramel apples. During outbreak investigations, scientists can unrecognized. Information from PulseNet has use PulseNet data to identify the specific type stimulated production changes by the food Real-time WGS helped investigators of bacteria that caused people to get sick, industry and helped federal agencies create solve the outbreak at least 1 week track down the food that was contaminated, new or improved recommendations and sooner than would have been possible using traditional methods. The apple and find out what happened to cause the regulations to make our food supply safer. producer and several caramel apple contamination. For example, in the early 2000s, manufacturers recalled apples to PulseNet traced an outbreak of Salmonella prevent more illnesses. PulseNet’s 20-year history of making food safer to eat Outbreak of a deadly form of CDC, the Association of Public Traces a Salmonella infections in western states: Health Laboratories, federal PulseNet wins 2nd Innovations E. coli multistate outbreak to WGS used for routine > 700 illnesses; 4 children died. partners, and public health in American Government Award peanut butter/peanut surveillance of Listeria, Highlights the need for a network labs in 4 states launch a (also won in 1999) for excellence Begins using WGS on products; 700 illnesses, Campylobacter, and E. coli to identify DNA fingerprints of new foodborne surveillance and creativity in the public sector 9 deaths in 46 states, illnesses caused by at CDC and in states with foodborne bacteria network called PulseNet > 3,000 products recalled Listeria infection genetic sequencing capacity 2001 2006 2010 2014 1993 1996 2002 2009 2013 2016 1st time whole-genome PulseNet goes nationwide; Identifies spinach as sequencing (WGS) used “PulseNet and Beyond” project all 50 state public health labs source of E. coli outbreak; in a foodborne disease consolidates identification of perform DNA fingerprinting 225 sickened and 5 investigation. PulseNet uses foodborne bacteria into a single, of foodborne bacteria deaths in 27 states; WGS on samples from a fast, and efficient process under prompts nationwide recall cholera outbreak in Haiti Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) The Future of PulseNet: Faster, cheaper, and better foodborne disease detection A new test Culture-independent diagnostic tests, or CIDTs, are new tests that can detect the DNA of bacteria directly from patient samples like stool. As Transforming disease detection their name implies, CIDTs do not need a culture (cells grown in a lab) to In 2013, CDC began using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identify the bacteria that caused a patient’s illness. Clinical laboratories to detect outbreaks caused by Listeria, the most deadly are increasing their
Load more

Recommended publications
  • In Silico Characteristics for Re-Emerging Possibility of Vibrio Cholerae Genotypes in Iran
    ORIGINAL ARTICLE In silico characteristics for re-emerging possibility of Vibrio cholerae genotypes in Iran M. Hajia1 and Amir Sohrabi2 1) Department of Molecular Biology, Research Center of Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran and 2) Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Abstract Epidemic cholera has been registered several times within recent years in Iran. The dominant genotype was Ogawa until 2011, but this gradually changed to Inaba. However, in 2015, the re-appearance of a previous Ogawa genotype was detected by the Iranian CDC. This raised worries because no evidence was found for its origin abroad. The aim of the present study was to identify clearly the source of this outbreak. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to compare the recently detected Vibrio cholerae strains with those isolated from 2011 to 2015. We selected one strain per PFGE pattern, and compared the distinct patterns. BIONUMERICS software was applied, which enables interpretation of phenotypic and genotypic differences. In total, we studied 33 V. cholerae Ogawa strains. Analysis showed that strains could be discriminated on the basis of annual clusters but with a similarity of more than 80%. The highest homology was observed among those isolated each year from 2011 to 2014. In contrast, strains isolated in 2015 also exhibited close correlation with each other but were located in distinct clusters. The analysis also proved genetic variations among some strains. All 2015 strains showed differences with regard to previous genotypes despite some similarities. The new genotypes were probably imported into Iran from neighbouring countries such as Iraq by travellers or contaminated food sources since 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsenet: Depicting Red-Colored Salmonella Bacteria Invading a Mustard- Colored, Ruffled Immune Cell
    AS-630-W AGEXTENSIONRICULTURE (Above) A digitally colorized scanning electron micrograph PulseNet: depicting red-colored salmonella bacteria invading a mustard- colored, ruffled immune cell. Using Technology to Track Foodborne Illnesses Every year, salmonella bacteria are estimated to cause 1 million illnesses in the United States, Nearly everyone has seen headlines or heard United States by epidemiologists to quickly with 19,000 hospitalizations news reports announcing a large food recall identify foodborne illness outbreaks across and 380 deaths. (Courtesy of the — or, worse, a widespread foodborne illness the country and effectively stop such illnesses National Institute of Allergy and outbreak. One in six Americans suffer from from spreading. Infectious Diseases) a foodborne illness each year. Anyone can be affected. Have you ever wondered how these What constitutes a foodborne outbreaks are discovered? A great deal of illness outbreak epidemiological investigation, some that is notably high-tech, goes into identifying the First, let’s define terms. A foodborne illness cause of foodborne illnesses that can affect is any infection resulting from consumption Anne M. Marshall unrelated individuals in different states, even of food that has been contaminated in different regions. Here, we will describe one some manner. Foodborne illnesses are most Paul D. Ebner very powerful tool, PulseNet, used in the often associated with viruses and bacteria, and their symptoms can range from mild discomfort to diarrhea and vomiting to, Epidemiology: The science of Purdue Animal Sciences in rare cases, death. A foodborne illness determining the who, what, where, when, www.ag.purdue.edu/ANSC outbreak is when two or more individuals and how of the spread of disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsenet Timeline
    PulseNet is a national laboratory network that connects foodborne illness cases to detect outbreaks. PulseNet uses DNA fingerprinting, or patterns of bacteria making people sick, to detect thousands of local and multistate outbreaks. Since the network began in 1996, PulseNet has improved our food safety systems through identifying outbreaks early. This allows investigators to find the source, alert the public sooner, and identify gaps in our food safety systems that would not otherwise be recognized. E. coli O157:H7 is first recognized as a significant human pathogen. 1984 Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), the current gold standard for DNA fingerprinting, is developed by Schwartz and Cantor. 1993 E. coli O157:H7 causes a major outbreak in the Western US states. 1994 CDC and several state health laboratories demonstrate the utility of 1995 PFGE for detecting and investigating » The concept of PulseNet takes outbreaks of foodborne disease. shape in discussions between CDC, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), state public 1996 health laboratories and federal » CDC launches PulseNet with partners. the APHL, federal partners, and the original area public health » CDC provides $150,000 to PulseNet laboratories in Massachusetts, to conduct an initial project Minnesota, Texas, and Washington. demonstrating its effectiveness. » The first PulseNet training for standardized PFGE and analysis 1997 of patterns is organized at CDC. » PulseNet detects an outbreak of The area laboratories and the U.S. E. coli O157:H7 in Colorado linked to Department of Agriculture Food frozen ground beef from a Nebraska Safety and Inspection Service processing plant. Twenty-five million (USDA) laboratories attend. pounds of potentially contaminated ground beef are recalled.
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsenet International
    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) 18 November 2009 INFOSAN Information Note No. 4/2009 – PulseNet International PulseNet International SUMMARY NOTES • To address the growing concern of responding to foodborne disease (FBD) threats, other emerging infectious diseases, or acts of bioterrorism in a timely and effective manner, the PulseNet International network was established. • PulseNet International is a network of networks dedicated to detecting and tracing foodborne infections worldwide. There are currently six independent networks within PulseNet International, with a total of 81 Member countries. • PulseNet International can contribute to increased efficient information flow between laboratories and food safety officials to quicker identify food safety events and the establishment of an effective global early warning system through its laboratory network. • PulseNet International and INFOSAN are working to improve information sharing between the two networks to strengthen FBD surveillance and control globally. Introduction Due to increased global trade, more outbreaks are occurring in different regions of the world than where the implicated food was produced. As a result, a greater number of dispersed outbreaks can be traced back to sources in food exporting countries with no outbreak related cases. For example, in 2007, an international outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg was detected in both the United States of America (USA) and Europe by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis performed according to the PulseNet Salmonella protocol. The information shared by researchers in Europe and the USA through their respective PulseNet networks determined the infection was associated with the consumption of fresh basil imported from Israel1 The rate of international travel has risen simultaneously with global trade, compounding the opportunity for foodborne diseases to spread globally.
    [Show full text]
  • Case 1:16-Cv-00141-KPF Document 49 Filed 06/17/16 Page 1 of 127
    Case 1:16-cv-00141-KPF Document 49 Filed 06/17/16 Page 1 of 127 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK x SUSIE ONG, Individually and on Behalf of All : Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-00141-KPF Others Similarly Situated, : : CLASS ACTION Plaintiff, : : AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR vs. : VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL : SECURITIES LAWS CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC., M. : STEVEN ELLS, MONTGOMERY F. : DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL MORAN and JOHN R. HARTUNG, : : Defendants. : x Case 1:16-cv-00141-KPF Document 49 Filed 06/17/16 Page 2 of 127 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page NATURE OF THE ACTION ..........................................................................................................1 JURISDICTION AND VENUE ......................................................................................................6 PARTIES .........................................................................................................................................7 CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS ..............................................................................................11 PLAINTIFFS’ ALLEGATIONS ARE SUPPORTED BY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FORMER EMPLOYEES ........................................................................................................13 SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS ...............................................................................................14 Chipotle and Its Focus on “Food With Integrity” ..............................................................14 Chipotle Failed to Adequately Disclose Critical Changes
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsenet: on the Front Lines of Foodborne Disease Surveillance
    ISSUES IN BRIEF: ON THE FRONT LINES OF FOODBORNE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE APRIL 2013 PULSENET ON THE FRONT LINES OF FOODBORNE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE National Molecular Subtyping Network for Foodborne Pathogens Illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens continue to be a major burden to the health of Americans. New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates released in 2011 highlight 31 major pathogens causing nearly 9.4 million foodborne illnesses and contributing to more than 1,300 deaths in the United States annually. Salmonella ranks among the top four pathogens the early detection of the clusters which resulted in the associated with foodborne illness, causing an recall of contaminated products from the marketplace. estimated 1.0 million illnesses and a leading cause More importantly, by detecting outbreaks and finding of hospitalizations per year.1 Moreover, estimates by the gaps in our food safety systems, the food industry, Scharff suggest the economic burden due to these regulators, and the public get critical information illnesses is enormous, ranging from $51.0 billion to needed to improve the safety of our food supply. $77.7 billion annually.2 PulseNet, the National Molecular Subtyping Network Public health departments across the country continue for Foodborne Disease Surveillance is a national early to heavily invest time and resources in investigating warning detection system for outbreaks caused by multistate outbreaks. In a typical year, over 1,500 pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli local disease
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsenet: a Critical Food Safety Surveillance System Association of Public Health Laboratories April 2010
    ISSUES IN BRIEF PULSENET: A CRITICAL FOOD SAFETY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ASSOCIatION OF PUBLIC HEALTH LABORatORIES APRIL 2010 PULSENET A CRITICAL FOOD SAFETY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM Public health laboratorians are critical to the detection and prevention of foodborne illnesses. Through a national laboratory-based foodborne disease surveillance network known as PulseNet, public health and agricultural laboratories have detected high-profile outbreaks such as those from imported produce, peanut butter and peanut butter-containing products and raw cookie dough.1-3 In 2008 alone, PulseNet laboratorians DNA fingerprinting. Established detected more than 1,500 local clusters in 1996 by the Centers for Disease of foodborne illnesses and increased Control and Prevention (CDC), four the number of foodborne bacterial public health laboratories, the US isolates tested. Additional resources and Department of Agriculture (USDA) support are needed for public health and the Association of Public Health laboratories to test and investigate all Laboratories (APHL), PulseNet has since cases of foodborne illness. It is critical grown to more than 70 laboratories for the nation to recognize the impact nationwide, including state and that public health and agricultural local public health laboratories, state laboratories have on the overall agricultural laboratories and regulatory foodborne disease surveillance system laboratories within the US Food and to ensure a safer food supply. Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA. Molecular subtyping and computer The PulseNet network links public analysis are performed to generate health laboratories nationwide, and analyze the DNA fingerprint monitoring pathogens such as Shiga- patterns. These patterns generated toxin producing Escherichia coli or from isolates of ill persons and/or food STEC (including E.
    [Show full text]
  • Blank CDC Letterhead for Outgoing Correspondence
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ________________________________________________________________________________ National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases 1600 Clifton Rd., MS E-93 Atlanta GA 30329 April 15, 2016, 2016 Mr. Bryant “Corky” Messner, Esq. 1430 Wynkoop Street Suite 300 Denver, CO 80202 Dear. Mr. Messner, This is in response to your letter, dated December 21, 2015 from Messner Reeves, LLP. In your letter you express concern that certain web updates related to multistate outbreaks of Shiga toxin- producing Escherichia coli O26 (STEC O26) infections linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants (http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/o26-11-15/index.html) do not include “the most accurate information available” and that they “actually misinform the public.” You also raise concerns that these web updates “…do not conform with CDC guidelines, and Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) and Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) regulations concerning dissemination of information to the public.” Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC follows guidance as specified in OMB Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies (see http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/fedreg/reproducible2.pdf and http://aspe.hhs.gov/infoquality/Guidelines/cdcinfo2.shtml). CDC also follows the Transparency and Open Government Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, which requires us to take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use (https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment).
    [Show full text]
  • Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) a Review of the “Gold
    Infection, Genetics and Evolution 74 (2019) 103935 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Infection, Genetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/meegid Review Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE): A review of the “gold standard” for bacteria typing and current alternatives T ⁎ Hui-min Neoha, , Xin-Ee Tanb, Hassriana Fazilla Sapric, Toh Leong Tand a UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia b Department of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Japan c Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia d Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is considered the “gold standard” for bacteria typing. The method in- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) volves enzyme restriction of bacteria DNA, separation of the restricted DNA bands using a pulsed-field elec- Bacteria typing trophoresis chamber, followed by clonal assignment of bacteria based on PFGE banding patterns. Various PFGE protocols have been developed for typing different bacteria, leading it to be one of the most widely used methods for phylogenetic studies, food safety surveillance, infection control and outbreak investigations. On the other hand, as PFGE is lengthy and labourious, several PCR-based typing methods can be used as alternatives for research purposes. Recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) have also been proposed for bacteria typing. In fact, as WGS provides more information, such as antimicrobial resistance and virulence of the tested bacteria in com- parison to PFGE, more and more laboratories are currently transitioning from PFGE to WGS for bacteria typing.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Surveillance of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia Coli O157 by Pulsenet USA
    1926 Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 68, No. 9, 2005, Pages 1926±1931 Copyright Q, International Association for Food Protection General Interest Molecular Surveillance of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 by PulseNet USA PETER GERNER-SMIDT,1* JENNIFER KINCAID,1 KRISTY KUBOTA,1 KELLEY HISE,1 SUSAN B. HUNTER,1 MARY-ANN FAIR,1 DAWN NORTON,1 ANN WOO-MING,2 TERRY KURZYNSKI,3 MARK J. SOTIR,1,4 MARCUS HEAD,5 KRISTIN HOLT,5 AND BALA SWAMINATHAN1 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center of Infectious Diseases, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Mail Stop C03, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30333; 2Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Laboratory Services Division, 8100 Lowery Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80220; 3Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, 465 Henry Mall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; 4Wisconsin Division of Public Health, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, Wisconsin 53701; and 5U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 950 College Road, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA MS 04-539: Received 30 November 2004/Accepted 1 June 2005 ABSTRACT PulseNet USA is the national molecular subtyping network system for foodborne disease surveillance. Sixty-four public health and food regulatory laboratories participate in PulseNet USA and routinely perform pulsed-®eld gel electrophoresis of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from humans, food, water, and the environment on a real-time basis. Clusters of infection are detected in three ways within this system: through rapidly alerting the participants in the electronic communication forum, the PulseNet Web conference; through cluster analysis by the database administrators at the coordinating center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the patterns uploaded to the central server by the participants; and by matching pro®les of strains from nonhuman sources with recent human uploads to the national server.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter I: History and Trends
    CHAPTER I: HISTORY AND TRENDS June 2017 1-1 Foodborne Illness Investigation and Control Manual Chapter I Foodborne illness in the U.S. is a major cause of personal distress, social disruption, preventable death and avoidable economic burden. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, roughly 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne disease. These numbers are much less than reported in the first edition of this manual published in 1997, but the economic impact remains staggering. While it is difficult to put a price tag on the economic loss to industry, estimates are at $152 billion in the U.S. alone. (1) A. Background on Foodborne Illness The microbiologic hazards associated with food and food preparation are receiving increasing public attention. They are causing increasing concern, not only among consumers, but also among those involved in all facets of food production and distribution. Historically, most foods were produced and consumed locally. Modern production and distribution of foods, however, have become highly complex, and involve global distribution of many kinds of fresh and processed food products. One has to merely browse the aisles of the local grocery store to witness the tremendous influx of food products from throughout the world. While the benefits of the availability of such a variety of foods are many, the potential for the transmission of foodborne pathogens to large populations, spread over large geographic areas, also increases. "In 2015, CDC monitored between 17 and 40 potential food poisoning or related clusters each week, and investigated more than 195 multistate clusters.
    [Show full text]
  • Standard Operating Procedure for Pulsenet Pfge of Escherichia Coli O157:H7, Escherichia Coli Non-O157 (Stec), Salmonella Serotyp
    Standard Operating Procedure for PulseNet PFGE of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Escherichia coli non-O157 (STEC), Salmonella serotypes, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri Purpose To describe the One-Day (24-26 hour) Standardized Laboratory Protocol for Molecular Subtyping of E. coli O157:H7, E. coli Non-O157 (STEC), Salmonella, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Scope To provide the PulseNet participants with a standardized procedure for performing PFGE of E. coli O157:H7, E. coli Non- O157 (STEC), Salmonella, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, thus ensuring inter-laboratory comparability of the generated results. Definitions and Terms 1. PFGE: Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis 2. DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid 3. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4. CLRW: Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water 5. TE: Tris-EDTA 6. EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid 7. TBE: Tris borate-EDTA 8. HIA: Heart Infusion Agar Biosafety Warning Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella serotypes, Shigella sonnei, and Shigella flexneri are human pathogens and can cause serious disease. It has been reported that less than 100 cells of E. coli O157:H7 may cause infection. Shigella species also have a low infectious dose and are demonstrated hazards to laboratory personnel. Always use Biosafety Level 2 practices (at a minimum) and extreme caution when transferring and handling strains of these genera. Work in a biological safety cabinet when handling large amounts of cells. Disinfect or dispose of all plasticware and glassware that come in contact with the cultures in a safe manner. Please read all instructions carefully before starting protocol. It is recommended to plate cultures, prepare cell suspensions, and cast plugs in a Class II Biosafety Cabinet (BSC), if available.
    [Show full text]