PulseNet
PulseNet
PulseNet (pronounced: /ˈpʌlsˌnɛt/) is a national network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The network is a vital part of the global health infrastructure, using DNA fingerprinting of bacteria making people sick to detect and define outbreaks of foodborne disease.
Etymology
The term "PulseNet" is derived from the word "pulse," which in this context refers to a vital sign indicating the beating of the heart, and "net," a shortened form of "network," indicating a group or system of interconnected people or things.
History
PulseNet was established in 1996 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with several state health department laboratories. The network was created in response to a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections in the western United States in the early 1990s.
Function
PulseNet identifies bacterial strains from patients, food, and contaminated environmental sources and compares them to see if they are similar, indicating a common source of infection. The network uses standardized laboratory methods and shares data in real time, allowing for rapid identification and response to outbreaks.
Related Terms
- DNA fingerprinting: A laboratory technique used to establish a link between biological evidence and a suspect in a criminal investigation.
- E. coli: A type of bacteria that lives in your intestines and in the intestines of animals.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The national public health agency of the United States.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on PulseNet
- Wikipedia's article - PulseNet
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