scholarly journals The impact of real-time whole genome sequencing in controlling healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet Billam ◽  
Rodric V Francis ◽  
Mitch Clarke ◽  
Carl Yates ◽  
Theocharis Tsoleridis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Nosocomial Transmission ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
The Impact

Background Nosocomial infections have posed a significant problem during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting bed capacity and patient flow in hospitals. Effective infection control measures and identifying areas of highest risk is required to reduce the risk of spread to patients who are admitted with other illnesses. This is the first pandemic where whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been readily available. We demonstrate how WGS can be deployed to help identify and control outbreaks. Aims & Methods Swabs performed on patients to detect SARS-CoV-2 underwent RT-PCR on one of multiple different platforms available at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Positive samples underwent WGS on the GridION platform using the ARTIC amplicon sequencing protocol at the University of Nottingham. Results Phylogenetic analysis from WGS and epidemiological data was used to identify an initial transmission that occurred in the admissions ward. It also showed high prevalence of asymptomatic staff infection with genetically identical viral sequences which may have contributed to the propagation of the outbreak. Actions were taken to help reduce the risk of nosocomial transmission by the introduction of rapid point of care testing in the admissions ward and introduction of portable HEPA14 filters. WGS was also used in two instances to exclude an outbreak by discerning that the phylotypes were not identical, saving time and resources. Conclusions In conjunction with accurate epidemiological data, timely WGS can identify high risk areas of nosocomial transmission, which would benefit from implementation of appropriate control measures. Conversely, WGS can disprove nosocomial transmission, validating existing control measures and maintaining clinical service, even where epidemiological data is suggestive of an outbreak.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing of A(H3N2) Influenza Viruses Reveals Variants Associated with Severity during the 2016–2017 Season

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Simon ◽  
Maxime Pichon ◽  
Martine Valette ◽  
Gwendolyne Burfin ◽  
Mathilde Richard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
H3n2 Influenza ◽  
The Impact

Influenza viruses cause a remarkable disease burden and significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and these impacts vary between seasons. To understand the mechanisms associated with these differences, a comprehensive approach is needed to characterize the impact of influenza genomic traits on the burden of disease. During 2016–2017, a year with severe A(H3N2), we sequenced 176 A(H3N2) influenza genomes using next generation sequencing (NGS) for routine surveillance of circulating influenza viruses collected via the French national influenza community-based surveillance network or from patients hospitalized in the intensive care units of the University Hospitals of Lyon, France. Taking into account confounding factors, sequencing and clinical data were used to identify genomic variants and quasispecies associated with influenza severity or vaccine failure. Several amino acid substitutions significantly associated with clinical traits were found, including NA V263I and NS1 K196E which were associated with severity and co-occurred only in viruses from the 3c.2a1 clade. Additionally, we observed that intra-host diversity as a whole and on a specific set of gene segments increased with severity. These results support the use of whole genome sequencing as a tool for the identification of genetic traits associated with severe influenza in the context of influenza surveillance.

scholarly journals 1627. Outbreaks of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Special Care Nurseries (SCN) in Jamaica: Role of Whole-Genome Sequencing

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S593-S593
Author(s):  
Maliha Aziz ◽  
Alison M Nicholson ◽  
Maya Nadimpalli ◽  
Sanjeev Sariya ◽  
Lance Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Special Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Nosocomial Transmission ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Single Source

Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae is a frequent cause of neonatal sepsis and carries a high mortality rate in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs). From March-November 2015, two Jamaican hospitals experienced K. pneumoniae outbreaks in their Special Care Nurseries (SCNs). New admissions to both SCNs were temporarily halted while additional infection control strategies were implemented. 31 babies were infected, of which 15 died. International collaboration was requested to help investigate if the sepsis cases were nosocomial transmission, repeated introductions from the community, or both using whole-genome sequencing Methods We sequenced DNA from 19 outbreak isolates (n = 13 from Hospital A, n = 6 from Hospital B) on an Illumina HiSeq2500 instrument and assembled short-reads using SPAdes. We used ResFinder v3.1.0 to screen resistance genes and assigned MLSTs using in-house scripts. To compare the outbreak isolates, we selected a reference genome from among the assembled isolates, aligned raw reads using the Burrows–Wheeler Aligner (BWA), identified SNPs using GATK UnifiedGenotyper, and removed the recombined regions using Gubbins v2.3.4. We further contextualized the 19 outbreak isolates against a global collection of more than 300 K. pneumoniae genomes. Results All 13 isolates from Hospital A appeared to be from a single source. All were ST45 and encoded blaCTX-M-15, which confers extended-spectrum β-lactam (ESBL) resistance. Five of 6 isolates from Hospital B appeared to be from a separate, single source. These 5 isolates were ST268 and susceptible to most antibiotics. 1 isolate from Hospital B was ST628, encoded blaCTX-M-15, and grouped separately from other Hospital B outbreak isolates. Hospital A and B outbreak isolates formed independent, unique clades within a global K. pneumoniae collection. Conclusion Our findings indicate nosocomial transmission was responsible for both neonatal K. pneumoniae outbreaks, rather than repeat introductions from the community. The main sequence types we detected (ST45 and ST268) are not known pandemic clones and may circulate regionally. Multifaceted infection control measures were implemented for effectively halting outbreaks. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing of the First H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Identified in Malaysia

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinta Gahan ◽  
Marie Garvey ◽  
Rozanah Asmah Abd Samad ◽  
Ann Cullinane
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Equine Influenza Virus ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
The Impact

In August 2015, Malaysia experienced an outbreak of acute respiratory disease in racehorses. Clinical signs observed were consistent with equine influenza (EI) infection. The index cases were horses recently imported from New Zealand. Rapid control measures, including temporary cancellation of racing, were implemented to minimize the impact of the outbreak. By November, the disease outbreak was resolved, and movement restrictions were lifted. The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical diagnosis and characterize the causal virus. A pan-reactive influenza type A real-time RT-PCR was used for confirmatory diagnosis. Antigenic characterization by haemagglutinin inhibition using a panel of specific ferret antisera indicated that the causal virus belonged to clade 1 of the H3N8 Florida sub-lineage. The genetic characterization was achieved by the whole genome sequencing of positive nasal swabs from clinically affected animals. Pylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes demonstrated ≥99% homology with several EI strains that had recently circulated in the USA and Japan. The antigenic and genetic characterization did not indicate that the current World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations for EI vaccine composition required modification.

scholarly journals Whole-genome sequencing from the New Zealand Saccharomyces cerevisiae population reveals the genomic impacts of novel microbial range expansion

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Higgins ◽  
Cooper A Grace ◽  
Soon A Lee ◽  
Matthew R Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Copy Number Changes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae is extensively utilized for commercial fermentation, and is also an important biological model; however, its ecology has only recently begun to be understood. Through the use of whole-genome sequencing, the species has been characterized into a number of distinct subpopulations, defined by geographical ranges and industrial uses. Here, the whole-genome sequences of 104 New Zealand (NZ) S. cerevisiae strains, including 52 novel genomes, are analyzed alongside 450 published sequences derived from various global locations. The impact of S. cerevisiae novel range expansion into NZ was investigated and these analyses reveal the positioning of NZ strains as a subgroup to the predominantly European/wine clade. A number of genomic differences with the European group correlate with range expansion into NZ, including 18 highly enriched single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and novel Ty1/2 insertions. While it is not possible to categorically determine if any genetic differences are due to stochastic process or the operations of natural selection, we suggest that the observation of NZ-specific copy number increases of four sugar transporter genes in the HXT family may reasonably represent an adaptation in the NZ S. cerevisiae subpopulation, and this correlates with the observations of copy number changes during adaptation in small-scale experimental evolution studies.

scholarly journals Piglet Gut and in-Barn Manure from Farms on a Raised without Antibiotics Program Display Reduced Antimicrobial Resistance but an Increased Prevalence of Pathogens

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1152
Author(s):  
Samuel M. Chekabab ◽  
John R. Lawrence ◽  
Alvin C. Alvarado ◽  
Bernardo Z. Predicala ◽  
Darren R. Korber
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact

In response to new stringent regulations in Canada regarding the use of antibiotics in animal production, many farms have implemented practices to produce animals that are raised without antibiotics (RWA) from birth to slaughter. This study aims to assess the impact of RWA production practices on reducing the actual total on-farm use of antibiotics, the occurrence of pathogens, and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A 28-month longitudinal surveillance of farms that adopted the RWA program and conventional farms using antibiotics in accordance with the new regulations (non-RWA) was conducted by collecting fecal samples from 6-week-old pigs and composite manure from the barn over six time points and applying whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess the prevalence of AMR genes as well as the abundance of pathogens. Analysis of in-barn drug use records confirmed the decreased consumption of antibiotics in RWA barns compared to non-RWA barns. WGS analyses revealed that RWA barns had reduced the frequency of AMR genes in piglet feces and in-barn manure. However, metagenomic analyses showed that RWA barns had a significant increase in the frequency of pathogenic Firmicutes in fecal samples and pathogenic Proteobacteria in barn manure samples.

scholarly journals Evaluation of whole genome sequencing for the identification and typing of Vibrio cholerae

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Greig ◽  
Ulf Schafer ◽  
Sophie Octavia ◽  
Ebony Hunter ◽  
Marie A. Chattaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
National Level ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
El Tor ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEpidemiological and microbiological data on Vibrio cholerae isolated between 2004 and 2017 (n=836) and held in the Public Health England culture archive were reviewed. The traditional biochemical species identification and serological typing results were compared with the genome derived species identification and serotype for a sub-set of isolates (n=152). Of the 836 isolates, 750 (89.7%) were from faecal specimens, 206 (24.6%) belonged to serogroup O1 and seven (0.8%) were serogroup O139, and 792 (94.7%) isolates from patients reporting recent travel abroad, most commonly to India (n=209) and Pakistan (n=104). Of the 152 isolates of V. cholerae speciated by kmer identification, 149 (98.1%) were concordant with the traditional biochemical approach. Traditional serotyping results were 100% concordant with the whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis for identification of serogroups O1 and O139 and Classical and El Tor biotypes. ctxA was detected in all isolates of V. cholerae O1 El Tor and O139 belonging to sequence type (ST) 69, and in V. cholerae O1 Classical variants belonging to ST73. A phylogeny of isolates belonging to ST69 from UK travellers clustered geographically, with isolates from India and Pakistan located on separate branches. Moving forward, WGS data from UK travellers will contribute to global surveillance programs, and the monitoring of emerging threats to public health and the global dissemination of pathogenic lineages. At the national level, these WGS data will inform the timely reinforcement of direct public health messaging to travellers and mitigate the impact of imported infections and the associated risks to public health.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Whole-Genome Sequencing for Identification and Typing of Vibrio cholerae

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Greig ◽  
Ulf Schaefer ◽  
Sophie Octavia ◽  
Ebony Hunter ◽  
Marie A. Chattaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
National Level ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
El Tor ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Epidemiological and microbiological data on Vibrio cholerae strains isolated between April 2004 and March 2018 (n = 836) and held at the Public Health England culture archive were reviewed. The traditional biochemical species identification and serological typing results were compared with the genome-derived species identification and serotype for a subset of isolates (n = 152). Of the 836 isolates, 750 (89.7%) were from a fecal specimen, 206 (24.6%) belonged to serogroup O1, and 7 (0.8%) were serogroup O139; 792 (94.7%) isolates were from patients reporting recent travel abroad, most commonly to India (n = 209) and Pakistan (n = 104). Of the 152 V. cholerae isolates identified by use of kmer, 149 (98.1%) were concordant with those identified using the traditional biochemical approach. Traditional serotyping results were 100% concordant with those of the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis for the identification of serogroups O1 and O139 and classical and El Tor biotypes. ctxA was detected in all isolates of V. cholerae O1 El Tor and O139 belonging to sequence type 69 (ST69) and in V. cholerae O1 classical variants belonging to ST73. A phylogeny of isolates belonging to ST69 from U.K. travelers clustered geographically, with isolates from India and Pakistan located on separate branches. Moving forward, WGS data from U.K. travelers will contribute to global surveillance programs and the monitoring of emerging threats to public health and the global dissemination of pathogenic lineages. At the national level, these WGS data will inform the timely reinforcement of direct public health messaging to travelers and mitigate the impact of imported infections and the associated risks to public health.

Utility of Whole Genome Sequencing To Describe the Persistence and Evolution of Listeria monocytogenes Strains within Crabmeat Processing Environments Linked to Two Outbreaks of Listeriosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD ELSON ◽  
ADEDOYIN AWOFISAYO-OKUYELU ◽  
TREVOR GREENER ◽  
CRAIG SWIFT ◽  
ANAÏS PAINSET ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Typing Method ◽  
Outbreak Investigations ◽  
Molecular Typing Method ◽  
Clinical Cases

ABSTRACT This article describes the identification and investigation of two extended outbreaks of listeriosis in which crabmeat was identified as the vehicle of infection. Comparing contemporary and retrospective typing data of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from clinical cases and from food and food processing environments allowed the detection of cases going back several years. This information, combined with the analysis of routinely collected enhanced surveillance data, helped to direct the investigation and identify the vehicle of infection. Retrospective whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of isolates provided robust microbiological evidence of links between cases, foods, and the environments in which they were produced and demonstrated that for some cases and foods, identified by fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism, the molecular typing method in routine use at the time, were not part of the outbreak. WGS analysis also showed that the strains causing illness had persisted in two food production environments for many years and in one producer had evolved into two strains over a period of around 8 years. This article demonstrates the value of reviewing L. monocytogenes typing data from clinical cases together with that from foods as a means of identifying potential vehicles and sources of infection in outbreaks of listeriosis. It illustrates the importance of reviewing retrospective L. monocytogenes typing alongside enhanced surveillance data to characterize extended outbreaks and inform control measures. Also, this article highlights the advantages of WGS analysis for strain discrimination and clarification of evolutionary relationships that refine outbreak investigations and improve our understanding of L. monocytogenes in the food chain.

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