DIFFERENTIATION OF STRAINS FROM A FOOD-BORNE OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA-ENTERICA BY PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC TYPING METHODS

A combination of typing methods was used to identify the strains and t he infection source in a food-borne outbreak of Salmonella enterica oc curring in a summer camp and affecting 25 children. All isolates teste d were found to be serovar Enteritidis, with an identical biotype API 20E and ribotype. However, they differed in their plasmid profiles and /or antibiograms; and were grouped into three strains. One strain was found in human stools, another in a hen's egg, and the third in both s tools and another egg pointing to large Spanish omelettes to be the co ntaminated food source.