title: Confirming Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission from a cadaver to an embalmer using molecular epidemiology.
abstract: Genotyping results and epidemiologic investigation were used to confirm tuberculosis transmission from a cadaver to an embalmer. This investigation highlights the utility of genotyping in identifying unsuspected epidemiologic links and unusual transmission settings. In addition, the investigation provides additional evidence for the occupational risk of tuberculosis among funeral service workers and indicates a need for education about tuberculosis risk and the importance of adhering to appropriate infection control measures among funeral service workers.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Janelle A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Jeanne Sullivan
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Shama Desai
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.affiliation: Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shashkina
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Tholief
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Flaherty
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY. Electronic address: dproops2@health.nyc.gov.
authors.forename: Douglas C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Proops
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D058889:Molecular Typing; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission*
keywords: Cluster; Funeral service worker; Genotype