PulseNet standardized protocol for subtyping Listeria monocytogenes by macrorestriction and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

PulseNet is a national network of pubic health and food regulatory laborato ries established in the US to detect clusters of foodborne disease and resp ond quickly to foodborne outbreak investigations. PulseNet laboratories: cu rrently subtype Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-typhoidal Salmonella. and Shi gella isolates by a highly standardized I-day pulsed-field gel electrophore sis (PFGE). and exchange normalized DNA "fingerprint" patterns via the Inte rnet. We describe a standardized molecular subtyping protocol for subtyping Listeria monocytogenes that was recently added to PulseNet. The subtyping can be completed within 30 h from the time a pure culture of the bacteria i s obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier science B.V. All rights reserved.