PulseNet
is a national network of public health and food regulatory
agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The network
consists of: state health departments, local health
departments, and federal agencies (CDC, USDA/FSIS,
FDA).
PulseNet participants perform standardized molecular
subtyping (or “fingerprinting”) of foodborne
disease-causing bacteria by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
(PFGE). PFGE can be used to distinguish strains of
organisms such as Escherichia coli O157:H7,
Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria,
or Campylobacter at the DNA level. DNA “fingerprints,”
or patterns, are submitted electronically to a dynamic
database at the CDC. These databases are available
on-demand to participants—this allows for rapid
comparison of the patterns.
Since 1996, PulseNet has connected foodborne illness cases together, using DNA "fingerprinting" of the bacteria making people sick, to detect and define outbreaks… More
They're usually in bowls of mixed nuts that are a holiday staple. But for 8 people who lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the 2010 holidays weren't so merry… More
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435
PulseNet
is a national network of public health and food regulatory
agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The network
consists of: state health departments, local health
departments, and federal agencies (CDC, USDA/FSIS,
FDA). 
