title: Local Outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes Serotype 4b Sequence Type 6 Due to Contaminated Meat Pâté.
abstract: In January and February 2016, five cases of confirmed and two cases of probable infection due to Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b, sequence type (ST) 6 belonging to a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulsotype pattern were registered in a region of southern Switzerland. L. monocytogenes was detected in blood samples (four cases) and pleural fluid (one case). Furthermore, L. monocytogenes 4b ST6 was detected in a stool sample of an asymptomatic person exposed to a common food. Forthwith, the food safety authority and a local gourmet meat producer reported L. monocytogenes contamination of meat pâté. Analysis of further food and environmental samples from the premises of the producer yielded isolates matching the clinical strains and confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes 4b ST6 in the mincing machine as the cause of the food contamination.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, National Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Althaus
authors.affiliation: 2 Cantonal Laboratory Ticino , Division of Public Health, Department of Health, Bellinzona, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jermini
authors.affiliation: 2 Cantonal Laboratory Ticino , Division of Public Health, Department of Health, Bellinzona, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.affiliation: 3 Laboratory of Bacteriology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinetti
authors.affiliation: 4 Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Canton Ticino, Division of Public Health, Department of Health, Bellinzona, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reinholz
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, National Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nüesch-Inderbinen
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, National Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehner
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, National Centre for Enteropathogenic Bacteria and Listeria, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D012703:Serotyping; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Listeria monocytogenes; outbreak; pâté; sequence type 6