MOLECULAR FINGERPRINTING DEFINES A STRAIN OF SALMONELLA-ENTERICA SEROTYPE ANATUM RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL OUTBREAK ASSOCIATED WITH FORMULA-DRIED MILK

Molecular analyses based on plasmid profile typing and pulsed-field ge l electrophoresis have defined a strain of Salmonella enterica serotyp e Anatum associated with the consumption of a particular brand of form ula-dried milk responsible for an outbreak in late 1996/early 1997 inv olving 15 infants and 2 relatives in the UK, and 2 infants in France. The study has demonstrated the value of laboratory-based surveillance involving identification of the outbreak strain at the molecular level coupled with food microbiology and targeted epidemiological investiga tions, and has highlighted the importance of rapid communication and s ubsequent international collaboration through the European Union-funde d Salm-Net salmonella surveillance network.