-
Casey Barton Behravesh,
Rajal K Mody,
Jessica Jungk, Linda Gaul,
John T Redd,
Sanny Chen,
Shaun Cosgrove,
Erin Hedican,
David Sweat,
Lina Chávez-Hauser, [......],
Elizabeth Russo,
Matthew Mikoleit,
Lisa Theobald,
Peter Gerner-Smidt,
Robert M Hoekstra,
Frederick J Angulo,
David L Swerdlow,
Robert V Tauxe,
Patricia M Griffin,
Ian T Williams
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Raw produce is an increasingly recognized vehicle for salmonellosis. We investigated a nationwide outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2008.
We defined a case as diarrhea in a person with laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Saintpaul. Epidemiologic, traceback, and environmental studies were conducted.
Among the 1500 case subjects, 21% were hospitalized, and 2 died. In three case-control studies of cases not linked to restaurant clusters, illness was significantly associated with eating raw tomatoes (matched odds ratio, 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 30.3); eating at a Mexican-style restaurant (matched odds ratio, 4.6; 95% CI, 2.1 to ∞) and eating pico de gallo salsa (matched odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.5 to 17.8), corn tortillas (matched odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2 to 5.0), or salsa (matched odds ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.9); and having a raw jalapeño pepper in the household (matched odds ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 7.6). In nine analyses of clusters associated with restaurants or events, jalapeño peppers were implicated in all three clusters with implicated ingredients, and jalapeño or serrano peppers were an ingredient in an implicated item in the other three clusters. Raw tomatoes were an ingredient in an implicated item in three clusters. The outbreak strain was identified in jalapeño peppers collected in Texas and in agricultural water and serrano peppers on a Mexican farm. Tomato tracebacks did not converge on a source.
Although an epidemiologic association with raw tomatoes was identified early in this investigation, subsequent epidemiologic and microbiologic evidence implicated jalapeño and serrano peppers. This outbreak highlights the importance of preventing raw-produce contamination.
New England Journal of Medicine 02/2011; 364(10):918-27. · 53.30 Impact Factor
-
Rajal K Mody,
Sharon A Greene, Linda Gaul,
Adrianne Sever,
Sarah Pichette,
Ingrid Zambrana,
Thi Dang,
Angie Gass,
René Wood,
Karen Herman, [......],
Kristin Delea,
Casey Barton Behravesh,
Samir V Sodha,
J Christopher Yee,
Brian Emanuel,
Sufian F Al-Khaldi,
Val Jefferson,
Ian T Williams,
Patricia M Griffin,
David L Swerdlow
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 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.
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 jalapeño peppers. Cultures of jalapeño 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 jalapeño and serrano peppers grew the outbreak strain.
Jalapeño 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.
PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(2):e16579. · 4.09 Impact Factor
-
Pavani Kalluri,
Colleen Crowe,
Megan Reller, Linda Gaul,
James Hayslett,
Suzanne Barth,
Stacey Eliasberg,
J Ferreira,
Kristin Holt,
Steve Bengston,
Kate Hendricks,
Jeremy Sobel
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Foodborne botulism is caused by potent neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum. We investigated a large outbreak of foodborne botulism among church supper attendees in Texas. We conducted a cohort study of attendees and investigated the salvage store that sold the implicated foods. We identified 15 cases of botulism (40%) among 38 church supper attendees. Nine patients (60%) had botulinum toxin type A detected in stool specimens. The diagnosis was delayed in 3 cases. Fifteen (63%) of 24 attendees who ate a chili dish developed botulism (relative risk, undefined; P<.001). The chili dish was prepared with "brand X" or "brand Y" frozen chili, "brand Z" canned chili, and hot dogs. An unopened container of brand X chili yielded type A toxin. Brand X chili was purchased at a salvage store where perishable foods were inadequately refrigerated. Our investigation highlights the need to improve clinicians' awareness of botulism. More rigorous and more unannounced inspections may be necessary to detect food mishandling at salvage stores.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 01/2004; 37(11):1490-5. · 9.15 Impact Factor
