Building PulseNet Latin America and Caribbean Salmonella regional database: First conclusions of genetic subtypes of S. Typhi, S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis circulating in six countries of the region

Abstract

PulseNet Latin America and Caribbean Network (PulseNet LA and C) works together with PulseNet International sharing molecular epidemiologic information for the recognition and investigation of foodborne disease outbreaks.

The participants of PulseNet LA and C perform standardized pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocols and analysis generating data that is incorporated into Regional Databases. In this study we present the relationship and distribution of genetic subtypes of Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (STM), Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (SE), and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhi (ST) human isolates circulating in six countries of the Region between 2005 and 2009, from the analysis of the Salmonella Database.

The 70 ST isolates analyzed were diverse and none of the countries shared the same PFGE profiles with XbaI enzyme. These results show a high genetic diversity among the strains studied and provide background to trace future outbreaks and travel related cases. In the analysis of 550 STM isolates, we found 10 patterns shared at least between two countries, suggesting the need of further studies of attribution to the source of origin. Only one of these PFGE patterns was associated with a known outbreak. Among 225 SE isolates, a predominant subtype was identified, that grouped 83.5% of the isolates and was associated with foodborne outbreaks in five of the six countries; showing the need to use other subtyping techniques for this serovar.

The continuous update of PulseNet LA and C Salmonella Regional Database provides an important tool for the laboratory based surveillance of the serovars analyzed, for the prevention and control of foodborne outbreaks, and for the detection of emerging strains in the Region.