Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Falkenhorst G[original query] |
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National outbreak of salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections: importance of Texas restaurant investigations in implicating jalapeno peppers
Mody RK , Greene SA , Gaul L , Sever A , Pichette S , Zambrana I , Dang T , Gass A , Wood R , Herman K , Cantwell LB , Falkenhorst G , Wannemuehler K , Hoekstra RM , McCullum I , Cone A , Franklin L , Austin J , Delea K , Behravesh CB , Sodha SV , Yee JC , Emanuel B , Al-Khaldi SF , Jefferson V , Williams IT , Griffin PM , Swerdlow DL . PLoS One 2011 6 (2) e16579 BACKGROUND: In May 2008, PulseNet detected a multistate outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Saintpaul infections. Initial investigations identified an epidemiologic association between illness and consumption of raw tomatoes, yet cases continued. In mid-June, we investigated two clusters of outbreak strain infections in Texas among patrons of Restaurant A and two establishments of Restaurant Chain B to determine the outbreak's source. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted independent case-control studies of Restaurant A and B patrons. Patients were matched to well controls by meal date. We conducted restaurant environmental investigations and traced the origin of implicated products. Forty-seven case-patients and 40 controls were enrolled in the Restaurant A study. Thirty case-patients and 31 controls were enrolled in the Restaurant Chain B study. In both studies, illness was independently associated with only one menu item, fresh salsa (Restaurant A: matched odds ratio [mOR], 37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2-386; Restaurant B: mOR, 13; 95% CI 1.3-infinity). The only ingredient in common between the two salsas was raw jalapeno peppers. Cultures of jalapeno peppers collected from an importer that supplied Restaurant Chain B and serrano peppers and irrigation water from a Mexican farm that supplied that importer with jalapeno and serrano peppers grew the outbreak strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Jalapeno peppers, contaminated before arrival at the restaurants and served in uncooked fresh salsas, were the source of these infections. Our investigations, critical in understanding the broader multistate outbreak, exemplify an effective approach to investigating large foodborne outbreaks. Additional measures are needed to reduce produce contamination. |
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