Last data update: Jan 27, 2025. (Total: 48650 publications since 2009)
Records 1-9 (of 9 Records) |
Query Trace: Whitney BM[original query] |
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An investigation of Salmonella Senftenberg illnesses in the United States linked to peanut butter-2022
Whitney BM , Palacios A , Warren B , Kautter D , Grant EA , Crosby A , Seelman S , Walerstein L , Mangia J , Pightling A , Hunter A , Harris-Garner K , Wagoner V , Jackson T , Gollarza L , Leeper M , Gieraltowski L , Viazis S . Foodborne Pathog Dis 2024 ![]() ![]() In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners conducted a sample-initiated investigation of a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg illnesses linked to peanut butter. Twenty-one illnesses and four hospitalizations were reported in 17 states, with a significant epidemiological signal for peanut butter from Firm A. Whole genome sequence (WGS) data from a Salmonella-positive environmental swab sample collected at Firm A in 2010 yielded the outbreak strain that was a match to the WGS data from the 2022 clinical isolates. Lot code information collected from patients indicated Firm A's facility in Kentucky as a common manufacturing source, and FDA and state partners initiated an inspection. In 2021, Firm A installed two new roasters with at least one of the cooling air supply vents leaking, allowing unfiltered air and rainwater to enter the cooling section after the roasting process. Investigators noted the limitations of Firm A's finished product testing program to identify contamination. Investigative partners from five states collected and analyzed 14 product samples, and FDA collected 205 environmental swabs, and all were negative. Although the exact source and route of the contamination were not determined, epidemiological and traceback evidence confirmed peanut butter consumed by patients was produced by Firm A. Firm A voluntarily recalled all implicated products and provided a plan for corrective actions and restart to FDA. This was the first major domestic investigation of a multistate-foodborne illness outbreak linked to peanut butter since 2012. This investigation demonstrates the importance of caution with reliance on finished product testing, taking appropriate corrective actions when detection occurs, and potential benefits for industry to incorporate WGS as a tool in their environmental monitoring program. |
An outbreak investigation of Salmonella Weltevreden illnesses in the United States linked to frozen precooked shrimp imported from India - 2021
Jenkins E , Cripe J , Whitney BM , Greenlee T , Schneider B , Nguyen TA , Pightling A , Manetas J , Abraham A , Fox T , Mickelsen N , Priddy C , McMullen S , Crosby A , Viazis S . J Food Prot 2024 100360 ![]() ![]() In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners investigated a multi-state sample-initiated retrospective outbreak investigation (SIROI) consisting of a cluster of nine Salmonella Weltevreden illnesses associated with frozen, pre-cooked shrimp imported from India. Import surveillance testing identified Salmonella Weltevreden recovered from a cooked shrimp sample from Supplier B. In total, nine patients with clinical isolates highly related via whole genome sequencing were reported in four states with illness onset dates between February 26 and July 17, 2021. Epidemiologic data was gathered by state partners for seven patients, whom all reported exposure to shrimp. Five patients reported consuming shrimp cocktail from the same retailer. A traceback investigation for five of the six patients converged on Supplier B. This evidence demonstrated that the outbreak of Salmonella Weltevreden illnesses was caused by the consumption of cooked, ready-to-eat shrimp manufactured by Supplier B. At the time of the investigation, outbreak and recall information was shared with Indian competent authorities. In March 2022, a follow up inspection of Supplier B's facility in India was conducted, and insanitary conditions and practices were observed. This outbreak investigation highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary national and international public health partnerships. The lessons learned from this investigation should continue to inform investigational activities and food safety guidance for industry. |
An investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to cantaloupe – United States, 2022
Seelman Federman S , Jenkins E , Wilson C , DeLaGarza A , Schwensohn C , Schneider B , Nsubuga J , Literman R , Wellman A , Whitney BM , Bell RL , Harris-Garner K , McKenna C , Brillhart D , Cross M , Rueber K , Schlichte T , Oni K , Adams J , Crosby AJ , Bazaco MC , Gieraltowski L , Nolte K , Viazis S . Food Control 2024 166 ![]() ![]() In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health and regulatory partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infections linked to cantaloupes from southwest Indiana, resulting in 87 ill persons and 32 hospitalizations reported in 11 states. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence confirmed cantaloupe as the vehicle for these infections. Based on records collected by FDA, traceback of cantaloupe exposures for 14 ill people converged on a packing house in southwest Indiana, which supplied cantaloupe to eight of the 11 points of service where ill people purchased cantaloupe. Salmonella isolates were recovered from environmental samples collected by FDA from three growers and a packing house in southwest Indiana. Whole genome sequencing analyses of these isolates found that isolates collected from one grower matched the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak strain, and samples collected from the other two growers and the packing house matched a 2020 Salmonella Newport outbreak strain. State and federal public health and agricultural partners identified potential conditions and practices that could have possibly resulted in the contamination of cantaloupe, including the presence of Salmonella spp. in on-farm, post-harvest, and off-farm environments. This is the third outbreak of salmonellosis confirmed to be linked to melons, sourced from southwest Indiana in the last decade. The 2012, 2020, and 2022 outbreaks of reoccurring and persisting strains of Salmonella illustrate the need for additional efforts to determine the source and extent of environmental contamination in the melon growing region of southwest Indiana and for outreach and education to help promote practices to reduce contamination of melons. © 2024 |
An investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to melons United States, 2020
Jenkins E , Gardenhire I , Whitney BM , Martin KB , Schwensohn C , Gieraltowski L , Leeper MM , McCurdy V , McClure M , Wellman A , Pightling A , Smith M , Swinford A , Hainstock L , Crosby AJ , Bazaco MC , Viazis S . Food Control 2023 152 The United States are one of the world's leading consumers of melons. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state health and regulatory partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to melons from southwest Indiana, resulting in 80 ill persons and 18 hospitalizations reported across 15 states. Epidemiologic and traceback data indicated melons as the vehicle for these infections, but the collinearity of melon varieties purchased and consumed together in combination with the traceback investigation that could not rule out either melon type, did not allow investigators to delineate whether the vehicle was cantaloupe alone or, both cantaloupe and watermelons. Analysis of traceback records for cantaloupe and/or watermelon exposures for 12 ill people indicated convergence on a grower in southwest Indiana which supplied cantaloupe to the nine of eleven points of service where ill people purchased cantaloupe; similar convergence was not observed for watermelon. While Salmonella isolates were recovered from environmental samples collected by FDA throughout the growing operation, they were not highly genetically related to the outbreak strain by whole genome sequencing analyses, i.e. greater than a 20 high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms difference. This outbreak illustrates the need for additional efforts to determine the source and extent of environmental contamination in the melon growing region of southwest Indiana and emphasizes the need for outreach and education efforts to help promote farm practices to reduce pathogen contamination of melons. 2023 |
An Outbreak Investigation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Infections in the United States Linked to Crabmeat Imported from Venezuela: 2018.
Seelman SL , Whitney BM , Stokes EK , Elliot EL , Griswold T , Patel K , Bloodgood S , Jones JL , Cripe J , Cornell J , Luo Y , Williams DL , Boyle MM , Cahoon J , Brennan C , Wildey LM , Grover VM , Simonson S , Crosby AJ , Bazaco MC , Viazis S . Foodborne Pathog Dis 2023 20 (4) 123-131 ![]() ![]() Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of seafood-related foodborne illness globally. In 2018, the U.S. federal, state, and local public health and regulatory partners investigated a multistate outbreak of V. parahaemolyticus infections linked to crabmeat that resulted in 26 ill people and nine hospitalizations. State and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratories recovered V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes isolates from crabmeat samples collected from various points of distribution and conducted phylogenetic analyses of whole-genome sequencing data. Federal, state, and local partners conducted traceback investigations to determine the source of crabmeat. Multiple Venezuelan processors that supplied various brands of crabmeat were identified, but a sole firm was not confirmed as the source of the outbreak. Travel restrictions between the United States and Venezuela prevented FDA officials from conducting on-site inspections of cooked crabmeat processors. Based on investigation findings, partners developed public communications advising consumers not to eat crabmeat imported from Venezuela and placed potentially implicated firms on import alerts. While some challenges limited the scope of the investigation, epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence identified the contaminated food and country of origin, and contributed to public health and regulatory actions, preventing additional illnesses. This multistate outbreak illustrates the importance of adhering to appropriate food safety practices and regulations for imported seafood. |
A Series of Papaya-Associated Salmonella Illness Outbreak Investigations in 2017 and 2019: A Focus on Traceback, Laboratory, and Collaborative Efforts.
Whitney BM , McClure M , Hassan R , Pomeroy M , Seelman SL , Singleton LN , Blessington T , Hardy C , Blankenship J , Pereira E , Davidson CN , Luo Y , Pettengill J , Curry P , McConnell T , Gieraltowski L , Schwensohn C , Basler C , Fritz K , McKenna C , Nieves K , Oliveira J , Sandoval AL , Crosby A , Williams D , Crocker K , Thomas D , Fulton T , Muetter L , Li L , Omoregie E , Holloman K , Brennan C , Thomas N , Barnes A , Viazis S . J Food Prot 2021 84 (11) 2002-2019 ![]() In 2017 and 2019, five outbreaks of infections from multiple strains of Salmonella linked to the consumption of whole, fresh Maradol papayas were reported in the United States, resulting in 325 ill persons. Traceback, laboratory, and epidemiologic evidence indicated papayas as the likely vehicle for each of these outbreaks and identified the source of papayas. State and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratories recovered Salmonella from papaya samples from various points of distribution, including at import entry, and conducted serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and phylogenetic analyses of whole genome sequencing data. Federal and state partners led traceback investigations to determine the source of papayas. Four different suppliers of papayas were linked by traceback and laboratory results to five separate outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with papayas. In 2017, multiple states tested papaya samples collected at retail, and Maryland and Virginia investigators recovered strains of Salmonella associated with one outbreak. FDA collected 183 papaya samples in 2017, and 11 samples yielded 62 isolates of Salmonella. Eleven serotypes of Salmonella were recovered from FDA papaya samples, and nine serotypes were closely related genetically by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole genome sequencing to clinical isolates of four outbreaks, including the outbreak associated with positive state sample results. Four farms in Mexico were identified, and their names were released to the general public, retailers, and foreign authorities. In 2019, FDA collected 119 papaya samples, three of which yielded Salmonella; none yielded the 2019 outbreak strain. Investigators determined that papayas of interest had been sourced from a single farm in Campeche, Mexico, through traceback. This information was used to protect public health through public guidance, recalls, and import alerts and helped FDA collaborate with Mexican regulatory partners to enhance the food safety requirements for papayas imported from Mexico. |
Investigation of US Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreaks in 2019 and evaluation of an improved Cyclospora genotyping system against 2019 cyclosporiasis outbreak clusters.
Barratt J , Houghton K , Richins T , Straily A , Threlkel R , Bera B , Kenneally J , Clemons B , Madison-Antenucci S , Cebelinski E , Whitney BM , Kreil KR , Cama V , Arrowood MJ , Qvarnstrom Y . Epidemiol Infect 2021 149 1-39 ![]() ![]() ![]() Cyclosporiasis is an illness characterised by watery diarrhoea caused by the food-borne parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The increase in annual US cyclosporiasis cases led public health agencies to develop genotyping tools that aid outbreak investigations. A team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a system based on deep amplicon sequencing and machine learning, for detecting genetically-related clusters of cyclosporiasis to aid epidemiologic investigations. An evaluation of this system during 2018 supported its robustness, indicating that it possessed sufficient utility to warrant further evaluation. However, the earliest version of CDC's system had some limitations from a bioinformatics standpoint. Namely, reliance on proprietary software, the inability to detect novel haplotypes and absence of a strategy to select an appropriate number of discrete genetic clusters would limit the system's future deployment potential. We recently introduced several improvements that address these limitations and the aim of this study was to reassess the system's performance to ensure that the changes introduced had no observable negative impacts. Comparison of epidemiologically-defined cyclosporiasis clusters from 2019 to analogous genetic clusters detected using CDC's improved system reaffirmed its excellent sensitivity (90%) and specificity (99%), and confirmed its high discriminatory power. This C. cayetanensis genotyping system is robust and with ongoing improvement will form the basis of a US-wide C. cayetanensis genotyping network for clinical specimens. |
Impact of abstinence and of reducing illicit drug use without abstinence on HIV viral load
Nance RM , Trejo MEP , Whitney BM , Delaney JAC , Altice F , Beckwith CG , Chander G , Chandler R , Christopoulous K , Cunningham C , Cunningham WE , Del Rio C , Donovan D , Eron JJ , Fredericksen RJ , Kahana S , Kitahata MM , Kronmal R , Kuo I , Kurth A , Mathews WC , Mayer KH , Moore RD , Mugavero MJ , Ouellet LJ , Quan VM , Saag MS , Simoni JM , Springer S , Strand L , Taxman F , Young JD , Crane HM . Clin Infect Dis 2019 70 (5) 867-874 BACKGROUND: Substance use is common among people living with HIV (PLWH) and a barrier to achieving viral suppression. OBJECTIVE: Among PLWH who report illicit drug use, we evaluated associations between HIV viral load (VL) and reduced use of illicit opioids, methamphetamine/crystal, cocaine/crack, and marijuana, regardless of whether or not abstinence was achieved. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort studySetting/participantsPLWH in clinical care at 8 HIV clinics or 5 clinical studies. MEASUREMENTS: We used joint longitudinal and survival models to examine the impact of decreasing drug use and of abstinence for each drug on viral suppression. We repeated analyses using linear mixed models to examine associations between change in frequency of drug use and VL. RESULTS: The number of PLWH who were using each drug at baseline ranged from n=568 (illicit opioids) to n=4272 (marijuana). Abstinence was associated with higher odds of viral suppression (OR 1.4-2.2) and lower relative VL (ranging from 21-42% by drug) for all four drug categories. Reducing frequency of illicit opioid or methamphetamine/crystal use without abstinence was associated with VL suppression (OR 2.2, 1.6 respectively). Reducing frequency of illicit opioid or methamphetamine/crystal use without abstinence was associated with lower relative VL (47%, 38% respectively). LIMITATIONS: Observational data have limitations with causal inference. CONCLUSIONS: Abstinence was associated with viral suppression. In addition, reducing use of illicit opioids or methamphetamine/crystal, even without abstinence, was also associated with viral suppression. Findings highlight the impact of reducing substance use even when abstinence is not achieved and the potential benefits of medications, behavioral interventions, and harm-reduction interventions. |
Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Infections Associated with Flour.
Crowe SJ , Bottichio L , Shade LN , Whitney BM , Corral N , Melius B , Arends KD , Donovan D , Stone J , Allen K , Rosner J , Beal J , Whitlock L , Blackstock A , Wetherington J , Newberry LA , Schroeder MN , Wagner D , Trees E , Viazis S , Wise ME , Neil KP . N Engl J Med 2017 377 (21) 2036-2043 ![]() ![]() Background In 2016, a multijurisdictional team investigated an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroup O121 and O26 infections linked to contaminated flour from a large domestic producer. Methods A case was defined as infection with an outbreak strain in which illness onset was between December 21, 2015, and September 5, 2016. To identify exposures associated with the outbreak, outbreak cases were compared with non-STEC enteric illness cases, matched according to age group, sex, and state of residence. Products suspected to be related to the outbreak were collected for STEC testing, and a common point of contamination was sought. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on isolates from clinical and food samples. Results A total of 56 cases were identified in 24 states. Univariable exact conditional logistic-regression models of 22 matched sets showed that infection was significantly associated with the use of one brand of flour (odds ratio, 21.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.69 to 94.37) and with tasting unbaked homemade dough or batter (odds ratio, 36.02; 95% CI, 4.63 to 280.17). Laboratory testing isolated the outbreak strains from flour samples, and whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolates from clinical and food samples were closely related to one another genetically. Trace-back investigation identified a common flour-production facility. Conclusions This investigation implicated raw flour as the source of an outbreak of STEC infections. Although it is a low-moisture food, raw flour can be a vehicle for foodborne pathogens. |
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- Page last updated:Jan 27, 2025
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