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Multistate outbreak of listeriosis--United States, 2000
Abstract:
Since May 2000, 29 illnesses caused by a strain of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) have been identified in 10 states: New York (15 cases); Georgia (three); Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan (two each); and California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin (one each). Dates of LM isolation ranged from May 17 through November 26 with 26 (90%) infections occurring since July 15. When subtyped, the LM isolates from these cases were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PulseNet pattern numbers GX6A16.0014 by Asc1 and GX6A12.0017 by Apa1) and ribotyping (DUP-1053). This report summarizes the investigation, which linked these cases of listeriosis to eating deli turkey meat.
Insights
A Listeria monocytogenes (LM) outbreak caused 29 illnesses across 10 states, primarily linked to deli turkey consumption. Public health investigations confirmed the outbreak strain through genetic subtyping.
Area of Science:
- Foodborne illness epidemiology
- Microbial forensics
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- An outbreak of 29 Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infections occurred across 10 U.S. states between May and November 2000.
- The majority of cases (90%) were reported after July 15, indicating a concentrated period of exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the source of a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.
- To investigate the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Case finding and interviews to identify potential exposures.
- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping for molecular subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolates.
- Comparison of isolate genetic profiles to identify indistinguishable strains.
Main Results:
- Epidemiological data linked 29 confirmed Listeria monocytogenes cases to the consumption of deli turkey.
- Molecular subtyping using PFGE (PulseNet pattern numbers GX6A16.0014 by Asc1 and GX6A12.0017 by Apa1) and ribotyping (DUP-1053) confirmed that isolates from patients were indistinguishable.
- The outbreak strain was genetically consistent across all identified cases.
Conclusions:
- Deli turkey was identified as the likely source of the multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak.
- This investigation highlights the importance of integrated epidemiological and molecular surveillance for detecting and controlling foodborne outbreaks.
- Prompt identification and source attribution are crucial for preventing further illnesses associated with contaminated food products.