[Application of PulseNet China Database in tracking and warning 4 cholerae outbreaks in Anhui province, in 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To track the source of infection regarding 4 Cholerae outbreaks in Anhui province in 2012 through the application of PulseNet China Database (PNCD). METHODS: Cholerae virulence genes were amplified by PCR and typed by pulse field gel electrophoresis(PFGE). Results from electrophoresis were cluster-analyzed by BioNumericsV4.0 software and compared with PNCD. RESULTS: Virulence gene CT and TCP of the tested vibrio cholera showed both positive. Homology of the strains from four cholera outbreaks was more than 98%, based on the homologous and cluster analysis through enzyme digested PFGE electrophoresis. Those strains were highly homologous with the cholera epidemic strains identified in Hunan, Sichuan,Zhejiang, Shanghai and Hubei by PNCD, with the homology as 100% . CONCLUSION: Four cholera outbreaks in Anhui province, 2012 were highly correlated with the outbreaks occurring in Hunan and Sichuan during the same time period, indicating that PNCD could effectively and quickly tracking down the source of infection on the cholera outbreaks and providing early warning of the situation.