Molecular analyses based on plasmid profile typing and pulsed-field
gel electrophoresis have
defined a strain of Salmonella enterica serotype
Anatum associated with the consumption of a
particular brand of formula-dried milk responsible for an outbreak in late
1996/early 1997
involving 15 infants and 2 relatives in the UK, and 2 infants in France.
The study has
demonstrated the value of laboratory-based surveillance involving identification
of the outbreak
strain at the molecular level coupled with food microbiology and targeted
epidemiological
investigations, and has highlighted the importance of rapid communication
and subsequent
international collaboration through the European Union-funded Salm-Net
salmonella
surveillance network.