An outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium food poisoning at a wedding reception.

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among 127 persons attending a wedding reception in Dublin was investigated. One hundred and fifteen wedding guests were interviewed and information obtained about demographic and clinical characteristics, and food consumed at the reception. Faecal samples from ill guests were submitted for microbiological examination and environmental investigations conducted at the catering facilities. Fifty-eight cases (diarrhoea within three days after having eaten at the reception) were identified. Forty-six cases submitted stool samples, of which 39 were culture positive for Salmonella typhimurium. Two isolates were phage-typed and found to be DT 104. Turkey was identified as a potential vehicle for this outbreak. A sample of litter from young birds at the poultry farm which had supplied the turkeys also tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. In the Republic of Ireland S.typhimurium accounts for almost 50% of all human salmonella isolates. Epidemiological and microbiological studies which relate the human and animal spectrum of this disease need to be undertaken as a priority.