Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Heidelberg Associated with Mechanically Separated Chicken at a Correctional Facility

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2015 Dec;12(12):950-2. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2015.2008. Epub 2015 Nov 5.

Abstract

We describe multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Heidelberg infections associated with mechanically separated chicken (MSC) served at a county correctional facility. Twenty-three inmates met the case definition. All reported diarrhea, 19 (83%) reported fever, 16 (70%) reported vomiting, 4 (17%) had fever ≥103°F, and 3 (13%) were hospitalized. A case-control study found no single food item significantly associated with illness. Salmonella Heidelberg with an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern was isolated from nine stool specimens; two isolates displayed resistance to a total of five drug classes, including the third-generation cephalosporin, ceftriaxone. MDR Salmonella Heidelberg might have contributed to the severity of illness. Salmonella Heidelberg indistinguishable from the outbreak subtype was isolated from unopened MSC. The environmental health assessment identified cross-contamination through poor food-handling practices as a possible contributing factor. Proper hand-washing techniques and safe food-handling practices were reviewed with the kitchen supervisor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chickens / microbiology*
  • Cobalt
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Food Contamination
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food Microbiology*
  • Hand Disinfection
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Salmonella / drug effects*
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / microbiology
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / prevention & control
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / transmission

Substances

  • Cobalt
  • cobaltous sulfide