Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115225

Stephen Long¹, Raouf R. Arafat, MD, MPH¹, Adebowale Awosika-Olumo, MD, MS, MPH¹, and Osaro Mgbere, PhD². (1) Bureau of Epidemiology, Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, 8000 N Stadium Dr 4th floor, Houston, TX 77054, 713-794-9181, stephen.Long@cityofhouston.net, (2) City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Epidemiology, Office Surveillance and public Health Preparedness, 8000 N. Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77o54

Background

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is used to identify a unique DNA fingerprint pattern for isolates from patients and group patients with similar or identical fingerprint patterns into clusters to determine the common source of infection.

Objective To examine the demographic variability of a single large cluster of Shigella sonnei found among residents of Houston metropolitan area between 2000 and 2004.

Methods

652 isolates of S. sonnei were analyzed at HDHHS laboratory using PFGE. Each isolate was assigned a PFGE pattern. Two or more cases with identical patterns were considered to be a cluster. A total of 43 clusters were identified in the population. The largest cluster of S. sonnei, containing 199 cases, was labeled HU.J16X01.0014. This cluster was analyzed for trends and demographic variability using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results The number of cases recorded within the period was generally higher during the months of August, September and October (14.1%, 14.1% and 16.1% respectively). The demographic characteristics of the population are as follows: overall mean age 14.75 yrs (CI: 12.31-17.19); Male 47.4% with mean and females 52.6% with mean age of 15.48 yrs (CI: 12.02 – 18.93). A univariate analysis of the subset of data showed race to be a significant factor across age and gender (P<0.05). Hispanics are more likely to be infected wit S. sonnei at younger age (8.8 yrs); Black (11.7 yrs); White (19.3 yrs); and highest among Asians (43.7 yrs).

Conclusion Marked demographic variations were observed among cases identified with this pattern (HU.J16X01.0014).

Learning Objectives:

• To describe the use and effectiveness of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to identify a unique DNA fingerprint pattern for isolates from patients and group patients with similar or identical fingerprint patterns into clusters to determine the common source of infection.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.