Role of electronic data exchange in an international outbreak caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium DT204b

Elizabeth A Lindsay; Andrew J Lawson; Rachel A Walker; Linda R Ward; Henry R Smith; Fiona W Scott; Sarah J O'Brien; Ian S T Fisher; Paul D Crook; Deborah Wilson; Derek J Brown; Hjordis Hardardottir; Wim J B Wannet; Helmut Tschäpe; E John Threlfall

doi:10.3201/eid0807.010414

Role of electronic data exchange in an international outbreak caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium DT204b

Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Jul;8(7):732-4. doi: 10.3201/eid0807.010414.

Authors

Elizabeth A Lindsay¹, Andrew J Lawson, Rachel A Walker, Linda R Ward, Henry R Smith, Fiona W Scott, Sarah J O'Brien, Ian S T Fisher, Paul D Crook, Deborah Wilson, Derek J Brown, Hjordis Hardardottir, Wim J B Wannet, Helmut Tschäpe, E John Threlfall

Affiliation

¹ Public Health Laboratory Service Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract

From July through September 2000, patients in five European countries were infected with a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Typhimurium DT204b. Epidemiologic investigations were facilitated by the transmission of electronic images (Tagged Image Files) of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. This investigation highlights the importance of standardized protocols for molecular typing in international outbreaks of foodborne disease.

MeSH terms

Computer Communication Networks*
DNA, Bacterial
Disease Outbreaks*
Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics
Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / standards*
Europe / epidemiology
Genes, Bacterial / genetics
Humans
International Cooperation
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Salmonella Food Poisoning / epidemiology*
Salmonella Food Poisoning / microbiology
Salmonella typhimurium / genetics*
Salmonella typhimurium / isolation & purification*
Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

DNA, Bacterial