Molecular epidemiologic investigation of an anthrax outbreak among heroin users, Europe

Erin P Price; M L Seymour; Derek S Sarovich; J Latham; S R Wolken; Joanne Mason; G Vincent; K P Drees; S M Beckstrom-Sternberg; A M Phillippy; S Koren; R T Okinaka; W K Chung; J M Schupp; D M Wagner; R Vipond; J T Foster; N H Bergman; J Burans; T Pearson; T Brooks; Paul Keim

doi:10.3201/eid1808.111343

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Molecular epidemiologic investigation of an anthrax outbreak among heroin users, Europe

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Molecular epidemiologic investigation of an anthrax outbreak among heroin users, Europe

Erin P Price, M L Seymour, Derek S Sarovich, J Latham, S R Wolken, Joanne Mason, G Vincent, K P Drees, S M Beckstrom-Sternberg, A M Phillippy, …

Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol.18(8), pp.1307-1313

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1808.111343

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Abstract

In December 2009, two unusual cases of anthrax were diagnosed in heroin users in Scotland. A subsequent anthrax outbreak in heroin users emerged throughout Scotland and expanded into England and Germany, sparking concern of nefarious introduction of anthrax spores into the heroin supply. To better understand the outbreak origin, we used established genetic signatures that provided insights about strain origin. Next, we sequenced the whole genome of a representative Bacillus anthracis strain from a heroin user (Ba4599), developed Ba4599-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism assays, and genotyped all available material from other heroin users with anthrax. Of 34 case-patients with B. anthracis-positive PCR results, all shared the Ba4599 single-nucleotide polymorphism genotype. Phylogeographic analysis demonstrated that Ba4599 was closely related to strains from Turkey and not to previously identified isolates from Scotland or Afghanistan, the presumed origin of the heroin. Our results suggest accidental contamination along the drug trafficking route through a cutting agent or animal hides used to smuggle heroin into Europe.

Details

Title: Molecular epidemiologic investigation of an anthrax outbreak among heroin users, Europe
Authors: Erin P Price (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
M L Seymour (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
Derek S Sarovich (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
J Latham (Author) - Health Protection Agency, United States
S R Wolken (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
Joanne Mason (Author) - Health Protection Agency, United States
G Vincent (Author) - Health Protection Agency, United States
K P Drees (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
S M Beckstrom-Sternberg (Author) - Translational Genomics Research Institute, United States
A M Phillippy (Author) - National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Centre, United States
S Koren (Author) - National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Centre, United States
R T Okinaka (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
W K Chung (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
J M Schupp (Author) - Translational Genomics Research Institute, United States
D M Wagner (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
R Vipond (Author) - Health Protection Agency, United States
J T Foster (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
N H Bergman (Author) - National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Centre, United States
J Burans (Author) - National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Centre, United States
T Pearson (Author) - Northern Arizona University, United States
T Brooks (Author) - Health Protection Agency, United States
Paul Keim (Author) - Translational Genomics Research Institute, United States
Publication details: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol.18(8), pp.1307-1313
Publisher: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.3201/eid1808.111343
ISSN: 1080-6040
Copyright note: Copyright © 2012 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reproduced here with permission.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451148902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Immunology; Infectious Diseases

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