Whole genome sequencing confirms source of pathogens associated withbacterial foodborne illness in pets fed raw pet food

摘要

Reports of raw meat pet food containing zoonotic foodborne bacteria, including , and , are increasing. Contaminated raw pet food andbiological waste from pets consuming those diets may pose a public health risk.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Veterinary Laboratory Investigation andResponse Network conducted 2 case investigations, involving 3 households withanimal illnesses, which included medical record review, dietary andenvironmental exposure interviews, animal sample testing, and whole genomesequencing (WGS) of bacteria isolated from the pets and the raw pet food. Foreach case investigation, WGS with core genome multi-locus sequence typinganalysis showed that the animal clinical isolates were closely related to one ormore raw pet food bacterial isolates. WGS and genomic analysis of paired animalclinical and animal food isolates can confirm suspected outbreaks of animalfoodborne illness.