Marshmallows cause an outbreak of infection with Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4.

Abstract

Thirty-six cases of Salmonella enteritidis phage type (PT) 4 infection, mainly in children, were notified in one local authority in the two weeks beginning on 23 October 1995. Twenty-four cases and 42 controls nominated by cases were included in a case control study, which showed a significant association between illness and the consumption of marshmallow confectionery from a bakery. S. enteritidis PT4 was isolated from samples of the marshmallow, and all isolates had the same plasmid and pulsed field gel electrophoresis profiles. The marshmallow had been made using raw egg white, which shows that not all caterers follow the Department of Health's advice.