Simultaneous infection with three different S. enteritidis strains in a nursing home resident

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Published on: December 4, 2020

G Scuderi1, E Filetici, M Fantasia

  • 1Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

European Journal of Epidemiology
|July 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

A nursing home outbreak revealed a mixed Salmonella enteritidis infection with three distinct strains. Plasmid analysis and phage typing were crucial for characterizing these Salmonella enteritidis strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Bacterial Genetics

Background:

  • Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks pose significant public health challenges, particularly in vulnerable settings like nursing homes.
  • Accurate strain characterization is essential for effective outbreak investigation and control.

Observation:

  • A culture from a nursing home resident during a Salmonella enteritidis outbreak identified a mixed infection involving three distinct strains.
  • One strain was identified as phage type (PT) 4, another as PT6, and a third reacted with phages but was non-typable (RDNC).

Findings:

  • All three Salmonella enteritidis strains possessed a 38.9 megadalton (MDa) plasmid, consistent with other outbreak isolates.
  • Additionally, the PT6 and RDNC strains harbored a larger 69.9 MDa plasmid.

Implications:

  • Phage typing and plasmid analysis are vital tools for differentiating Salmonella enteritidis strains during epidemiological investigations.
  • Understanding plasmid profiles aids in tracing the source and spread of infections, informing public health interventions.
  • This study highlights the genetic diversity within Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks and the importance of comprehensive strain analysis.

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