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 .
Your Biosafety Resource !
ABSA International was founded in 1984 to promote biosafety as a scientific discipline and serve the growing biosafety and biosecurity needs of scientists , laboratorians , health care workers , and biosafety professionals throughout the world .
ABSA International Activities and Resources
• Annual Biological Safety Conference , Training Courses , and Webinars
• Applied Biosafety : Journal of ABSA International
• Biosafety Publications – Including Anthology of Biosafety Series
• Biosafety Training Resources
• Animal Biosafety Training Video – www . absa . org / resanimal . html
• Credentialed Biosafety Professionals – Registered Biosafety Professional ( RBP ) and Certified Biological Safety Professional ( CBSP )
• BSL-2 / -3 and ABSL-2 / -3 Accreditation Program – www . absaaccreditation . org
• Biosafety ListServ , Job Board , Risk Group Database , Biosafety Buyer ’ s Guide , Training Tools , and more …
www . absa . org