Dynamics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak detection and investigation, Minnesota 2000–2008

We determined characteristics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clusters that predict their being solved (i.e. that result in identification of a confirmed outbreak). Clusters were investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) using a dynamic iterative model. Du...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epidemiology and infection 2012-08, Vol.140 (8), p.1430-1438
Main Authors: ROUNDS, J. M., BOXRUD, D. J., JAWAHIR, S. L., SMITH, K. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacteriology
Biological and medical sciences
Disease Outbreaks
Diseases
E coli
E. coli O157
Electrophoresis
Epidemics
Epidemiology
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli Infections - epidemiology
Escherichia coli Infections - microbiology
Escherichia coli Infections - transmission
Escherichia coli O157 - isolation & purification
Food
Food Microbiology
Foodborne illnesses
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gels
Humans
Hypothesis testing
Illnesses
Infections
Infectious diseases
Interviews
Logistic Models
Medical laboratories
Microbiology
Minnesota - epidemiology
Miscellaneous
Public health
Questionnaires
Salmonella
Seasons
Surveillance
Time Factors
Water Microbiology
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Summary:We determined characteristics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clusters that predict their being solved (i.e. that result in identification of a confirmed outbreak). Clusters were investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) using a dynamic iterative model. During 2000–2008, 19 (23%) of 84 clusters were solved. Clusters of ⩾3 isolates were more likely to be solved than clusters of two isolates. Clusters in which the first two case isolates were received at MDH on the same day were more likely to be solved than were clusters in which the first two case isolates were received over ⩾8 days. Investigation of clusters of ⩾3 E. coli O157:H7 cases increased the success of cluster investigations.
ISSN:0950-2688
1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S0950268811002330