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. 2013;19(9):1514-7.
doi: 10.3201/eid1909.130334.

Gastroenteritis outbreak associated with unpasteurized tempeh, North Carolina, USA

Gastroenteritis outbreak associated with unpasteurized tempeh, North Carolina, USA

Stephanie E Griese et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013.

Abstract

During an investigation of an outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+), we identified unpasteurized tempeh as a novel food vehicle and Rhizopus spp. starter culture as the source of the contamination. Safe handling of uncooked, unpasteurized tempeh should be emphasized for prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Keywords: North Carolina; Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B; Salmonella spp.; bacteria; enteric infections; food handling; foodborne illness; gastroenteritis; salmonellosis; soy foods; tempeh.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cases of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) gastroenteritis, by date of symptom onset, North Carolina, USA, February 29–May 8, 2012. For comparison, the date that the manufacturer of Brand A tempeh changed Rhizopus spp. starter culture vendors and dates of public notifications and recalls are indicated.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pulse-field gel electrophoresis dendrogram showing Xba1 enzyme band patterns for 8 case-patients, tempeh, and Rhizopus spp. starter culture associated with outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) gastroenteritis, by date of symptom onset, North Carolina, USA, 2012.

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