An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis traced to cream cakes

Authors

  • Suhana Solhan Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, College of Medicine Building, 16 College Road, Singapore 169854.
  • Pei Pei Chan
  • Lalitha Kurupatham
  • Bok Huay Foong
  • Peng Lim Ooi
  • Lyn James
  • Leslie Phua
  • Ai Ling Tan
  • Diana Koh
  • Kee Tai Goh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2010.1.1.001

Abstract

Introduction: This paper describes the epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations conducted during an outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis in Singapore. Methods: A case-control study was undertaken to identify the vehicle of transmission. Microbiological testing was performed on faecal, food and environmental samples. Isolates of Salmonella were further characterized by phage typing and ribotyping. Results: There were 216 gastroenteritis cases reported from 20 November to 4 December 2007. The causative agent was identified as Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Enteritidis for 14 out of 20 cases tested. The vehicle of transmission was traced to cream cakes produced by a bakery and sold at its retail outlets (P < 0.001, OR = 143.00, 95% Cl = 27.23–759.10). More than two-thirds of the 40 Salmonella strains isolated from hospitalized cases, food samples and asymptomatic food handlers were of phage type 1; the others reacted but did not conform to any phage type. The phage types correlated well with their unique antibiograms. The ribotype patterns of 22 selected isolates tested were highly similar, indicating genetic relatedness. The dendrogram of the strains from the outbreak showed distinct clustering and correlation compared to the non-outbreak strains, confirming a common source of infection. Discussion: The cream cakes were likely contaminated by one of the ingredients used in the icing. Cross-contamination down the production line and subsequent storage of cakes at ambient temperatures for a prolonged period before consumption could have resulted in the outbreak.

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How to Cite

1.
Solhan S, Chan PP, Kurupatham L, Foong BH, Ooi PL, James L, Phua L, Tan AL, Koh D, Goh KT. An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis traced to cream cakes. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2013 May 30 [cited 2026 Apr. 6];2(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/114

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2011): January – March

Section

Other topic - Original Research

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