APHL 2018 Annual Meeting Poster Abstracts
number of days in transport after sample collection. Low rates of
ETEC-positive CIDT samples confirmed by PCR and culture suggests
the likelihood of false positive results by CIDTs. This study highlights
the importance of receiving fecal samples soon after detection and
the need for public health laboratories to confirm the presence of
ETEC in CIDT-positive samples to conduct surveillance and outbreak
investigations.
Presenter: Randal Fowler, PhD, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, Phone: 303.345.1159, Email:
[email protected]
Random Sampling Versus Blending: Improving Pathogen
Detection in Food Samples
N. Mitchell, P. Hanson and P. Lewandowski, Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
Introduction: Improving food sampling techniques continues to be
one of the biggest priorities in the food safety industry. To ensure
the most sensitive and accurate pathogen detection analyses are
performed on food commodities, homogenization of samples is
critical. Microbial contamination of food can be localized in “hot
spots,” creating the potential for pathogens to go undetected
through traditional sampling techniques.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare random
sampling vs. sample blending for improved pathogen detection.
Results: Results demonstrate that improving sampling practices
by using blenders and other homogenization tools to test an
entire sample enhances pathogen detection in food especially in
commodities such as frozen vegetables and deli meat.
Presenter: Nicole Mitchell, Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL, Email:
[email protected]
Walking In Each Other’s Shoes: The Importance of Building
Relationships between Epi and Lab
J. Yeadon-Fagbohun, Indiana State Department of Health,
Indianapolis, IN
Background: Laboratorians and epidemiologists must work closely
together in public health. Their jobs are interdependent and a strong
relationship makes everyone’s job easier. This can be difficult,
especially if the two groups are not in the same location. ISDH
recognized that the silo approach resulted in communication issues
and poor relationship. For the laboratory, this included a lack of
inclusion in outbreak discussions and receiving timely notification
to expect specimens. For epidemiology, this included lab results
reported that were confusing and not knowing the turnaround time
needed for laboratory testing. Communications need to be improved
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Methods: The Enteric laboratory approached the epidemiologists
about a job shadowing day. The epidemiologists spent half of a day
in the laboratory to see an overview of the enteric lab, including
both traditional bacteriology and molecular methods plus PulseNet
methods. Time was also spent on the cluster detection, reporting
and interacting with submitters. The laboratory supervisor then
spent half a day at the Epidemiology Resource Center (ERC) to
learn about ERC programs, case investigation, reporting and other
aspects of the ERC team’s job roles. In addition to this shadowing,
a biweekly meeting was created to discuss ongoing cases,
outbreaks, changing needs, etc. This meeting is held using the help
of technology, such as teleconference or webinar platforms, that
allow parties to see each other or share computer screens, which
facilitates a better understanding of the discussions.
Results: The time spent shadowing has increased the level of
understanding and appreciation by both the laboratory and
epidemiology. This has allowed for discussions to be more
productive and to dig into the details further when discussing
outbreaks and sampling. Holding regularly scheduled meetings
has allowed for in-depth discussions about what is going on within
the State of Indiana when it comes to foodborne outbreaks. By
using programs that allow us to either visually see each other or to
share screens, we also are able to reduce misunderstandings and
communication gaps.
Conclusions: The implementation of these practices between
the laboratorians and epidemiologists in the Enteric division has
allowed for an improved relationship. There is a deeper level of
understanding on both sides, which has built trust and promoted
collaborations. In addition, discussions about specimen collection
and testing algorithms have helped to improve outbreak response
and detection.
Methods: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services Bureau of Food Laboratories investigated a best sampling
practices comparison; the commonly used random sampling
technique versus blending the remaining sample. The study’s
targeted pathogenic analyses (Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia
coli and Staphylo