Whole genome sequencing as a novel approach for characterising Neisseria meningitidis in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Shakeel Mowlaboccus
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Routine Surveillance ◽  
Life Threatening

Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is the causative agent of invasive meningococcal disease that manifests as life-threatening septicaemia and/or meningitis. This review provides a brief overview of the prevention of the disease and also highlights the importance of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in detecting outbreaks of meningococci in Australia. The use of WGS in identifying the emergence of a penicillin-resistant cluster of meningococci is Western Australia is used as an example for advocating the implementation of WGS on the routine surveillance in Australia.

scholarly journals Genome-Based Characterization of Emergent Invasive Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup Y Isolates in Sweden from 1995 to 2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 2154-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Törös ◽  
Sara T. Hedberg ◽  
Magnus Unemo ◽  
Susanne Jacobsson ◽  
Dorothea M. C. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Whole Genome

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused byNeisseria meningitidisserogroup Y has increased in Europe, especially in Scandinavia. In Sweden, serogroup Y is now the dominating serogroup, and in 2012, the serogroup Y disease incidence was 0.46/100,000 population. We previously showed that a strain type belonging to sequence type 23 was responsible for the increased prevalence of this serogroup in Sweden. The objective of this study was to investigate the serogroup Y emergence by whole-genome sequencing and compare the meningococcal population structure of Swedish invasive serogroup Y strains to those of other countries with different IMD incidence. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on invasive serogroup Y isolates from 1995 to 2012 in Sweden (n= 186). These isolates were compared to a collection of serogroup Y isolates from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2010 to 2012 (n= 143), which had relatively low serogroup Y incidence, and two isolates obtained in 1999 in the United States, where serogroup Y remains one of the major causes of IMD. The meningococcal population structures were similar in the investigated regions; however, different strain types were prevalent in each geographic region. A number of genes known or hypothesized to have an impact on meningococcal virulence were shown to be associated with different strain types and subtypes. The reasons for the IMD increase are multifactorial and are influenced by increased virulence, host adaptive immunity, and transmission. Future genome-wide association studies are needed to reveal additional genes associated with serogroup Y meningococcal disease, and this work would benefit from a complete serogroup Y meningococcal reference genome.

scholarly journals Unveiling New Aspects of Meningococcal Carriage and Disease Prevention

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4
Author(s):  
Magnus Gottfredsson
Keyword(s):  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Traditional Methods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenotypic Methods

Recently, two protein-based vaccines have been approved for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused byNeisseria meningitidisserogroup B (MenB). It is therefore important to study carefully if and how these pathogens respond to widespread vaccination. Traditionally, meningococci have been classified on the basis of capsular phenotypes, but variable levels of capsule expression can influence the results, mainly among MenB strains. In this issue, Jones and colleagues (J Clin Microbiol 54:25–34, 2016,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01447-15) compare whole-genome sequencing to traditional phenotypic methods of classifying meningococci. They demonstrate that for MenB in particular, sequencing-based methods are far superior to traditional methods, especially when it comes to characterizing carriage isolates. This has important implications for future surveillance.

scholarly journals Serotype Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance amongSalmonella entericaIsolates from Patients at an Equine Referral Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (13) ◽  
pp. e02829-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. M. Leon ◽  
S. D. Lawhon ◽  
K. N. Norman ◽  
D. S. Threadgill ◽  
N. Ohta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Common Serotypes

ABSTRACTAlthoughSalmonella entericacan produce life-threatening colitis in horses, certain serotypes are more commonly associated with clinical disease. Our aim was to evaluate the proportional morbidity attributed to different serotypes, as well as the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ofSalmonellaisolates from patients at an equine referral hospital in the southern United States. A total of 255Salmonellaisolates was obtained from clinical samples of patients admitted to the hospital between 2007 and 2015. Phenotypic resistance to 14 antibiotics surveilled by the U.S. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System was determined using a commercially available panel. Whole-genome sequencing was used to identify serotypes and genotypic AMR. The most common serotypes wereSalmonella entericaserotype Newport (18%),Salmonella entericaserotype Anatum (15.2%), andSalmonella entericaserotype Braenderup (11.8%). Most (n= 219) of the isolates were pansusceptible, while 25 were multidrug resistant (≥3 antimicrobial classes). Genes encoding beta-lactam resistance, such asblaCMY-2,blaSHV-12,blaCTX-M-27, andblaTEM-1B, were detected. TheqnrB2 andaac(6′)-Ib-crgenes were present in isolates with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Genes encoding resistance to gentamicin (aph(3′)-Ia,aac(6′)-IIc), streptomycin (strA andstrB), sulfonamides (sul1), trimethoprim (dfrA), phenicols (catA), tetracyclines [tet(A) andtet(E)], and macrolides [ere(A)] were also identified. The main predicted incompatibility plasmid type was I1 (10%). Core genome-based analyses revealed phylogenetic associations between isolates of common serotypes. The presence of AMRSalmonellain equine patients increases the risk of unsuccessful treatment and causes concern for potential zoonotic transmission to attending veterinary personnel, animal caretakers, and horse owners. Understanding the epidemiology ofSalmonellain horses admitted to referral hospitals is important for the prevention, control, and treatment of salmonellosis.IMPORTANCEIn horses, salmonellosis is a leading cause of life-threatening colitis. At veterinary teaching hospitals, nosocomial outbreaks can increase the risk of zoonotic transmission, lead to restrictions on admissions, impact hospital reputation, and interrupt educational activities. The antimicrobials most often used in horses are included in the 5th revision of the World Health Organization's list of critically important antimicrobials for human medicine. Recent studies have demonstrated a trend of increasing bacterial resistance to drugs commonly used to treatSalmonellainfections. In this study, we identify temporal trends in the distribution ofSalmonellaserotypes and their mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance; furthermore, we are able to determine the likely origin of several temporal clusters of infection by using whole-genome sequencing. These data can be used to focus strategies to better contain the dissemination and enhance the mitigation ofSalmonellainfections and to provide evidence-based policies and guidelines to steward antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine.

scholarly journals Genomic Dissection of an Icelandic Epidemic of Respiratory Disease in Horses and Associated Zoonotic Cases

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigríður Björnsdóttir ◽  
Simon R. Harris ◽  
Vilhjálmur Svansson ◽  
Eggert Gunnarsson ◽  
Ólöf G. Sigurðardóttir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Viral Pathogen ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Iceland is free of the major infectious diseases of horses. However, in 2010 an epidemic of respiratory disease of unknown cause spread through the country’s native horse population of 77,000. Microbiological investigations ruled out known viral agents but identified the opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) in diseased animals. We sequenced the genomes of 257 isolates of S. zooepidemicus to differentiate epidemic from endemic strains. We found that although multiple endemic clones of S. zooepidemicus were present, one particular clone, sequence type 209 (ST209), was likely to have been responsible for the epidemic. Concurrent with the epidemic, ST209 was also recovered from a human case of septicemia, highlighting the pathogenic potential of this strain. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the incursion of this strain into one training yard during February 2010 provided a nidus for the infection of multiple horses that then transmitted the strain to farms throughout Iceland. This study represents the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to investigate an epidemic on a national scale to identify the likely causative agent and the link to an associated zoonotic infection. Our data highlight the importance of national biosecurity to protect vulnerable populations of animals and also demonstrate the potential impact of S. zooepidemicus transmission to other animals, including humans. IMPORTANCE An epidemic of respiratory disease affected almost the entire native Icelandic horse population of 77,000 animals in 2010, resulting in a self-imposed ban on the export of horses and significant economic costs to associated industries. Although the speed of transmission suggested that a viral pathogen was responsible, only the presence of the opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus zooepidemicus was consistent with the observed clinical signs. We applied genomic sequencing to differentiate epidemic from endemic strains and to shed light on the rapid transmission of the epidemic strain throughout Iceland. We further highlight the ability of epidemic and endemic strains of S. zooepidemicus to infect other animals, including humans. This study represents the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to elucidate an outbreak on a national scale and identify the likely causative agent. An epidemic of respiratory disease affected almost the entire native Icelandic horse population of 77,000 animals in 2010, resulting in a self-imposed ban on the export of horses and significant economic costs to associated industries. Although the speed of transmission suggested that a viral pathogen was responsible, only the presence of the opportunistic pathogen Streptococcus zooepidemicus was consistent with the observed clinical signs. We applied genomic sequencing to differentiate epidemic from endemic strains and to shed light on the rapid transmission of the epidemic strain throughout Iceland. We further highlight the ability of epidemic and endemic strains of S. zooepidemicus to infect other animals, including humans. This study represents the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to elucidate an outbreak on a national scale and identify the likely causative agent.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing to Investigate the Emergence of Clonal Complex 23 Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup Y Disease in the United States

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e35699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary G. Krauland ◽  
Julie C. Dunning Hotopp ◽  
David R. Riley ◽  
Sean C. Daugherty ◽  
Jane W. Marsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Clonal Complex ◽  
The United States ◽  
Whole Genome

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequencing of Two Bartonella bacilliformis Strains

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Guillen ◽  
Maria Casadellà ◽  
Ruth García-de-la-Guarda ◽  
Abraham Espinoza-Culupú ◽  
Roger Paredes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Bartonella Bacilliformis

Bartonella bacilliformis is the causative agent of Carrion’s disease, a highly endemic human bartonellosis in Peru. We performed a whole-genome assembly of two B. bacilliformis strains isolated from the blood of infected patients in the acute phase of Carrion’s disease from the Cusco and Piura regions in Peru.

scholarly journals Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection in a Healthy Healthcare Worker in Italy Confirmed by Whole-Genome Sequencing

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 899
Author(s):  
Daniela Loconsole ◽  
Anna Sallustio ◽  
Marisa Accogli ◽  
Francesca Centrone ◽  
Daniele Casulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Routine Surveillance ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Genomic Analyses

This study describes a case of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection confirmed by whole-genome sequencing in a healthy physician who had been working in a COVID-19 hospital in Italy since the beginning of the pandemic. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from the patient at each presentation as part of routine surveillance. Nucleic acid amplification testing was performed on the two samples to confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection, and serological tests were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Comparative genome analysis with whole-genome sequencing was performed on nasopharyngeal swabs collected during the two episodes of COVID-19. The first COVID-19 episode was in March 2020, and the second was in January 2021. Both SARS-CoV-2 infections presented with mild symptoms, and seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 IgG was documented. Genomic analysis showed that the viral genome from the first infection belonged to the lineage B.1.1.74, while that from the second infection to the lineage B.1.177. Epidemiological, clinical, serological, and genomic analyses confirmed that the second episode of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the healthcare worker met the qualifications for “best evidence” for reinfection. Further studies are urgently needed to assess the frequency of such a worrisome occurrence, particularly in the light of the recent diffusion of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

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