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Foodborne Illness
- Food Poisoning Lawyer
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- Food Poisoning Outbreaks
- Food Safety
- Botulism
- Campylobacter
- E.Coli
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
- Hepatitis-A
- Listeria
- Norovirus
- Salmonella
- Shigella
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Welcome to Pritzker | Ruohonen
DNA FINGERPRINTING AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
The information below regarding DNA fingerprinting and Listeria monocytogenes is provided by Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., a law firm with extensive experience representing people sickened by listeriosis and the families of people whose deaths were caused by listeriosis.
Determining Whether a Cluster of Listeriosis Cases is an Outbreak
The microbiological part of an investigation into a cluster of listeriosis (Listeria) cases involves a genetic subtyping process (DNA fingerprinting) to determine if the listeriosis cases were caused by the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes. This process begins with obtaining an isolate of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria from the people with listeriosis.
These isolates are tested pursuant to PulseNet system protocols using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), a molecular subtyping technique. PFGE testing provides genetic fingerprints of the isolates. When two or more Listeria monocytogenes bacteria have matching genetic fingerprints, there is a common source of the bacteria and the resulting cases of listeriosis are part of the same outbreak.
Determining the Source of a Listeriosis Outbreak
To find the source of an outbreak, genetic fingerprinting and epidemiological evidence are used. The people sickened by Listeria bacteria with matching DNA fingerprints are interviewed (and/or their families are interviewed) to determine what they ate in the last 2 months (the incubation period for Listeria can be as long as 70 days). Health investigators (epidemiologists) look for common food sources and investigate all likely sources. Part of that investigation is testing processing plants (drains, equipment, etc.) and food products for Listeria monocytogenes. If Listeria is found, isolates will have PFGE testing done on them to determine if they match the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. If there is a match, health officials consider the food (food produced at the plant if the bacteria was found in the plant) the source of the outbreak.
If epidemiological evidence (patient interviews, receipts of purchase, etc.) associates a food product with an outbreak but Listeria is not found in the food product or the plant that produced it, that is generally adequate evidence to make a claim for damages against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or retail seller of the food.
If you have been diagnosed with listeriosis and are seeking legal representation, please contact Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation with a Listeria lawyer. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.
Free Case Consultation
Firm News
Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
Taste of Chicago
Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).
E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement
We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.
Attorney Rich Ruohonen Has Article Published
Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.
Foodborne Outbreaks
- Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
- Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
- Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
- Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
- Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
- Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
- Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
- Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
- Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
- Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
- Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
- E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
- E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
- E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
- E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
- Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
- Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
- Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit