Role of Electronic Data Exchange in an International Outbreak Caused by<i>Salmonella enterica</i>Serotype Typhimurium DT204b

Abstract

From July through September 2000, patients in five European countries were infected with a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Typhimurium DT204b. Epidemiologic investigations were facilitated by the transmission of electronic images (Tagged Image Files) of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. This investigation highlights the importance of standardized protocols for molecular typing in international outbreaks of foodborne disease.