food safety
PulseNet International Expands Regions, Technologies
by Kristy Kubota, MPH, senior specialist, PulseNet
PulseNet International encompasses laboratories in seven regional networks in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The system employs standardized methods for foodborne cluster detection and outbreak investigations. Coupled with BioNumerics analysis tools and a regional communication platform, these methods allow for real-time laboratory surveillance of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli( STEC), Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter and Vibrio species.
Since 2011, PulseNet Latin America has been expanding its network of laboratories to include the Caribbean. As a member of PulseNet Latin America, the Caribbean Public Health Agency( CARPHA) will have the capability to rapidly detect clusters of cholera, typhoid fever and other foodborne and waterborne pathogens within the region.
Recently trainers from APHL, the Malbran Institute in Argentina and CDC’ s Enteric Disease Laboratory Branch taught PulseNet standardized methods for PFGE subtyping and analysis of DNA fingerprint patterns in BioNumerics at CARPHA laboratories in Port of Spain, Trinidad. CARPHA laboratorians, foodborne epidemiologists and staff learned how to generate, interpret and analyze PFGE data, and how to use data for outbreak investigations and surveillance.
PulseNet International & Latin America Team conducts laboratory and BioNumerics training for CARPHA staff in Portof-Spain, Trinidad. From left to right: Kristy Kubota, Daiana Moretti, Jenna Indarsingh, Sue Min Nathaniel-Girdharrie, Risha Singh, Danielle Gordon, Keisha Peters, Jeniffer Concepcion-Acevedo and Laura-Lee Boodram
PulseNet International also is working to extend subtyping capabilities to other nations through collaboration with the Global Disease Detection and Global Health Security Agenda initiatives. Trainings in PFGE and BioNumerics have been conducted in Indonesia, China and the Republic of Georgia to develop PulseNet-like systems, and more trainings in next generation sequencing are under development to enhance foodborne surveillance worldwide.
Going forward, collaboration and communication will be critical to ensure data comparability as whole genome sequencing is adopted at public health laboratories in the US and abroad.
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