Salmonella enterica Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Clusters, Minnesota, USA, 2001–2007

• Main Authors: Joshua M. Rounds, Craig W. Hedberg, Stephanie Meyer, David J. Boxrud, Kirk E. Smith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010-11-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Salmonella enterica; surveillance; serovars; outbreak; foodborne diseases; pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/11/10-0368_article
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059

We determined characteristics of Salmonella enterica pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clusters that predict their being solved (i.e., that result in identification of a confirmed outbreak). Clusters were investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health by using a dynamic iterative model. During 2001–2007, a total of 43 (12.5%) of 344 clusters were solved. Clusters of >4 isolates were more likely to be solved than clusters of 2 isolates. Clusters in which the first 3 case isolates were received at the Minnesota Department of Health within 7 days were more likely to be solved than were clusters in which the first 3 case isolates were received over a period >14 days. If resources do not permit investigation of all S. enterica pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clusters, investigation of clusters of >4 cases and clusters in which the first 3 case isolates were received at a public health laboratory within 7 days may improve outbreak investigations.