Identification of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Outbreaks Using Whole Genome Sequencing

2021 ◽  
pp. 87-97
Author(s):  
Stefan Bletz ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Barbara Middendorf-Bauchart
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Whole Genome

scholarly journals Whole genome sequencing to characterize shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 in a public health setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 884-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baha Abdalhamid ◽  
Emily L. Mccutchen ◽  
Alyssa C. Bouska ◽  
Zhang Weiwei ◽  
Brianna Loeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Public Health Setting

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequencing Applied to the Molecular Epidemiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Argentina: TABLE 1 

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Carolina Carbonari ◽  
Nahuel Fittipaldi ◽  
Sarah Teatero ◽  
Taryn B. T. Athey ◽  
Luis Pianciola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Human Infections

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains are worldwide associated with sporadic human infections and outbreaks. In this work, we report the availability of high-quality draft whole-genome sequences for 19 O157:H7 strains isolated in Argentina.

scholarly journals Impact of whole genome sequencing on the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroup O157:H7, England, 2013 to 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Jenkins ◽  
Timothy J Dallman ◽  
Kathie A Grant
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Trace Back ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Evolutionary Context

We aim to provide insight and guidance on the utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for investigating food-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in England between 2013 and 2017. Analysis of WGS data delivered an unprecedented level of strain discrimination when compared with multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis. The robustness of the WGS method ensured confidence in the microbiological identification of linked cases, even when epidemiological links were obscured. There was evidence that phylogeny derived from WGS data can be used to trace the geographical origin of an isolate. Further analysis of the phylogenetic data provided insight on the evolutionary context of emerging pathogenic strains. Publically available WGS data linked to the clinical, epidemiological and environmental context of the sequenced strain has improved trace back investigations during outbreaks. Expanding the use of WGS-based typing analysis globally will ensure the rapid implementation of interventions to protect public health, inform risk assessment and facilitate the management of national and international food-borne outbreaks of STEC O157:H7.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing Characterization of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Flour from Swiss Retail Markets

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1398-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
RENATE BOSS ◽  
JOERG HUMMERJOHANN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
N 93 ◽  
Human Infections

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are often found in food and cause human infections. Although STEC O157:H7 is most often responsible for human disease, various non-O157 subtypes have caused individual human infections or outbreaks. The importance of STEC serogroup typing is decreasing while detection of virulence gene patterns has become more relevant. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) reveals the entire spectrum of pathogen information, such as toxin variant, serotype, sequence type, and virulence factors. Flour has not been considered as a vector for STEC; however, this product has been associated with several STEC outbreaks in the last decade. Flour is a natural product, and milling does not include a germ-reducing step. Flour is rarely eaten raw, but the risks associated with the consumption of unbaked dough are probably underestimated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of STEC in flour samples (n = 93) collected from Swiss markets and to fully characterize the isolates by PCR assay and WGS. The prevalence of STEC in these flour samples was 10.8% as indicated by PCR, and a total of 10 STEC strains were isolated (two flour samples were positive for two STEC subtypes). We found one stx2-positve STEC isolate belonging to the classic serogroups frequently associated with outbreaks that could potentially cause severe disease. However, we also found several other common or less common STEC subtypes with diverse virulence patterns. Our results reveal the benefits of WGS as a characterization tool and that flour is a potentially and probably underestimated source for STEC infections in humans.

scholarly journals Is Shiga Toxin-Negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 Enteropathogenic or Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli? Comprehensive Molecular Analysis Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 3530-3538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mithila Ferdous ◽  
Kai Zhou ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Stefano Morabito ◽  
Peter D. Croughs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Treatment And Prevention

The ability ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 to induce cellular damage leading to disease in humans is related to numerous virulence factors, most notably thestxgene, encoding Shiga toxin (Stx) and carried by a bacteriophage. Loss of the Stx-encoding bacteriophage may occur during infection or culturing of the strain. Here, we collectedstx-positive andstx-negative variants ofE. coliO157:H7/NM (nonmotile) isolates from patients with gastrointestinal complaints. Isolates were characterized by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and their virulence properties and phylogenetic relationship were determined. Because of the presence of theeaegene but lack of thebfpAgene, thestx-negative isolates were considered atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC). However, they had phenotypic characteristics similar to those of the Shiga toxin-producingE. coli(STEC) isolates and belonged to the same sequence type, ST11. Furthermore, EPEC and STEC isolates shared similar virulence genes, the locus of enterocyte effacement region, and plasmids. Core genome phylogenetic analysis using a gene-by-gene typing approach showed that the sorbitol-fermenting (SF)stx-negative isolates clustered together with an SF STEC isolate and that one non-sorbitol-fermenting (NSF)stx-negative isolate clustered together with NSF STEC isolates. Therefore, thesestx-negative isolates were thought either to have lost the Stx phage or to be a progenitor of STEC O157:H7/NM. As detection of STEC infections is often based solely on the identification of the presence ofstxgenes, these may be misdiagnosed in routine laboratories. Therefore, an improved diagnostic approach is required to manage identification, strategies for treatment, and prevention of transmission of these potentially pathogenic strains.

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