The use of multiple hypothesis-generating methods in an outbreak investigation of Escherichia coli O121 infections associated with wheat flour, Canada 2016-2017.
Epidemiol Infect
; 148: e265, 2020 10 07.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33023704
ABSTRACT
A Canadian outbreak investigation into a cluster of Escherichia coli O121 was initiated in late 2016. When initial interviews using a closed-ended hypothesis-generating questionnaire did not point to a common source, cases were centrally re-interviewed using an open-ended approach. The open-ended interviews led cases to describe exposures with greater specificity, as well as food preparation activities. Data collected supported hypothesis generation, particularly with respect to flour exposures. In March 2017, an open sample of Brand X flour from a case home, and a closed sample collected at retail of the same brand and production date, tested positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O121. In total, 76% (16/21) of cases reported that they used or probably used Brand X flour or that it was used or probably was used in the home during their exposure period. Crucial hypothesis-generating techniques used during the course of the investigation included a centralised open-ended interviewing approach and product sampling from case homes. This was the first outbreak investigation in Canada to identify flour as the source of infection.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Triticum
/
Infecciones por Escherichia coli
/
Escherichia coli Shiga-Toxigénica
/
Harina
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Epidemiol Infect
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá