Ongoing outbreak of invasive listeriosis, Germany, 2012 to 2015

Euro Surveill. 2015;20(50). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2015.20.50.30094.

Abstract

Listeriosis patient isolates in Germany have shown a new identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern since 2012 (n = 66). Almost all isolates (Listeria monocytogenes serotype 1/2a) belonged to cases living in southern Germany, indicating an outbreak with a so far unknown source. Case numbers in 2015 are high (n = 28). No outbreak cases outside Germany have been reported. Next generation sequencing revealed the unique cluster type CT1248 and confirmed the outbreak. Investigations into the source are ongoing.

Keywords: Listeria; Listeriosis; epidemiology; food-borne infections; infection control; outbreaks; typing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Female
  • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Foodborne Diseases / microbiology
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification*
  • Listeriosis / diagnosis
  • Listeriosis / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance
  • Serotyping
  • Young Adult