scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatic Analysis of Isolates from Foodborne Illness Outbreaks ofCampylobacter jejuniandSalmonella enterica

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly F. Oakeson ◽  
Jennifer Marie Wagner ◽  
Andreas Rohrwasser ◽  
Robyn Atkinson-Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Reference Sequence ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evolutionary Relatedness

ABSTRACTWhole-genome sequencing (WGS) via next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies is a powerful tool for determining the relatedness of bacterial isolates in foodborne illness detection and outbreak investigations. WGS has been applied to national outbreaks (for example,Listeria monocytogenes); however, WGS has rarely been used in smaller local outbreaks. The current study demonstrates the superior resolution of genetic and evolutionary relatedness generated by WGS data analysis, compared to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The current study retrospectively applies WGS and a reference-free bioinformatic analysis to a Utah-specific outbreak ofCampylobacter jejuniassociated with raw milk and to a national multistate outbreak ofSalmonella entericasubsp.entericaserovar Typhimurium associated with rotisserie chicken, both of which were characterized previously by PFGE. Together, these analyses demonstrate how a reference-free WGS workflow is not reliant on determination of a reference sequence, like WGS workflows that are based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or the need for curated allele databases, like multilocus sequence typing workflows.

scholarly journals Utility of Whole-Genome Sequencing in Characterizing Acinetobacter Epidemiology and Analyzing Hospital Outbreaks

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
Egon A. Ozer ◽  
Alan R. Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Strain Typing ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Outbreak Investigations

Acinetobacter baumanniifrequently causes nosocomial infections and outbreaks. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a promising technique for strain typing and outbreak investigations. We compared the performance of conventional methods with WGS for strain typing clinicalAcinetobacterisolates and analyzing a carbapenem-resistantA. baumannii(CRAB) outbreak. We performed two band-based typing techniques (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR), multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis, and WGS on 148Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumanniicomplex bloodstream isolates collected from a single hospital from 2005 to 2012. Phylogenetic trees inferred from core-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) confirmed threeAcinetobacterspecies within this collection. Four majorA. baumanniiclonal lineages (as defined by MLST) circulated during the study, three of which are globally distributed and one of which is novel. WGS indicated that a threshold of 2,500 core SNPs accurately distinguishedA. baumanniiisolates from different clonal lineages. The band-based techniques performed poorly in assigning isolates to clonal lineages and exhibited little agreement with sequence-based techniques. After applying WGS to a CRAB outbreak that occurred during the study, we identified a threshold of 2.5 core SNPs that distinguished nonoutbreak from outbreak strains. WGS was more discriminatory than the band-based techniques and was used to construct a more accurate transmission map that resolved many of the plausible transmission routes suggested by epidemiologic links. Our study demonstrates that WGS is superior to conventional techniques forA. baumanniistrain typing and outbreak analysis. These findings support the incorporation of WGS into health care infection prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Loss and Gain in the Evolution of theSalmonella entericaSerovar Gallinarum Biovar Pullorum Genome

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yachen Hu ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
Bin Qiang ◽  
Yaohui Xu ◽  
Xiang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Most Recent Common Ancestor

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericasubspeciesentericaserovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum (S. Pullorum) is the etiological agent of pullorum disease, causing white diarrhea with high mortality in chickens. There are many unsolved issues surrounding the epidemiology ofS. Pullorum, including its origin and transmission history as well as the discordance between its phenotypic heterogeneity and genetic monomorphism. In this paper, we report the results of whole-genome sequencing of a panel of 97S. Pullorum strains isolated between 1962 and 2014 from four countries across three continents. We utilized 6,795 core genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree within a spatiotemporal Bayesian framework, estimating that the most recent common ancestor ofS. Pullorum emerged in ∼914 CE (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 565 to 1273 CE). The extantS. Pullorum strains can be divided into four distinct lineages, each of which is significantly associated with geographical distribution. The intercontinental transmissions of lineages III and IV can be traced to the mid-19th century and are probably related to the “Hen Fever” prevalent at that time. Further genomic analysis indicated that the loss or pseudogenization of functional genes involved in metabolism and virulence inS. Pullorum has been ongoing since before and after divergence from the ancestor. In contrast, multiple prophages and plasmids have been acquired byS. Pullorum, and these have endowed it with new characteristics, especially the multidrug resistance conferred by two large plasmids in lineage I. The results of this study provide insight into the evolution ofS. Pullorum and prove the efficiency of whole-genome sequencing in epidemiological surveillance of pullorum disease.IMPORTANCEPullorum disease, an acute poultry septicemia caused bySalmonellaGallinarum biovar Pullorum, is fatal for young chickens and is a heavy burden on poultry industry. The pathogen is rare in most developed countries but still extremely difficult to eliminate in China. Efficient epidemiological surveillance necessitates clarifying the origin of the isolates from different regions and their phylogenic relationships. Genomic epidemiological analysis of 97S. Pullorum strains was carried out to reconstruct the phylogeny and transmission history ofS. Pullorum. Further analysis demonstrated that functional gene loss and acquisition occurred simultaneously throughout the evolution ofS. Pullorum, both of which reflected adaptation to the changing environment. The result of our study will be helpful in surveillance and prevention of pullorum disease.

scholarly journals Salmonella entericaPhylogeny Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Two New Clades and Novel Patterns of Horizontally Acquired Genetic Elements

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Worley ◽  
Jianghong Meng ◽  
Marc W. Allard ◽  
Eric W. Brown ◽  
Ruth E. Timme
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genetic Elements

ABSTRACTUsing whole-genome sequence (WGS) data from the GenomeTrakr network, a globally distributed network of laboratories sequencing foodborne pathogens, we present a new phylogeny ofSalmonella entericacomprising 445 isolates from 266 distinct serovars and originating from 52 countries. This phylogeny includes two previously unidentifiedS. entericasubsp.entericaclades. Serovar Typhi is shown to be nested within clade A. Our findings are supported by both phylogenetic support, based on a core genome alignment, and Bayesian approaches, based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Serovar assignments were refined byin silicoanalysis using SeqSero. More than 10% of serovars were either polyphyletic or paraphyletic. We found variable genetic content in these isolates relating to gene mobilization and virulence factors which have different distributions within clades. Gifsy-1- and Gifsy-2-like phages appear more prevalent in clade A; other viruses are more evenly distributed. Our analyses reveal IncFII is the predominant plasmid replicon inS. enterica. Few core or clade-defining virulence genes are observed, and their distributions appear probabilistic in nature. Together, these patterns demonstrate that genetic exchange withinS. entericais more extensive and frequent than previously realized, which significantly alters how we view the genetic structure of the bacterial species.IMPORTANCERapid improvements in nucleotide sequencing access and affordability have led to a drastic increase in availability of genetic information. This information will improve the accuracy of molecular descriptions, including serovars, withinS. enterica. Although the concept of serovars continues to be useful, it may have more significant limitations than previously understood. Furthermore, the discrete absence or presence of specific genes can be an unstable indicator of phylogenetic identity. Whole-genome sequencing provides more rigorous tools for assessing the distributions of these genes. Our phylogenetic and genetic content analyses reveal how active genetic elements are dynamically distributed within a species, allowing us to better understand genetic reservoirs and underlying bacterial evolution.

scholarly journals In SilicoSerotyping Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing Improves the Accuracy ofShigellaIdentification

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Wu ◽  
Henry K. Lau ◽  
Teresa Lee ◽  
David K. Lau ◽  
Justin Payne
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Reference Sequence ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTBacteria of the genusShigella, consisting of 4 species and >50 serotypes, cause shigellosis, a foodborne disease of significant morbidity, mortality, and economic loss worldwide. ClassicalShigellaidentification based on selective media and serology is tedious, time-consuming, expensive, and not always accurate. A molecular diagnostic assay does not distinguishShigellaat the species level or from enteroinvasiveEscherichia coli(EIEC). We inspected genomic sequences from 221Shigellaisolates and observed low concordance rates between conventional designation and molecular serotyping: 86.4% and 80.5% at the species and serotype levels, respectively. Serotype determinants for 6 additional serotypes were identified. Examination of differentiation gene markers commonly perceived as characteristic hallmarks inShigellashowed high variability among different serotypes. Using this information, we developed ShigaTyper, an automated workflow that utilizes limited computational resources to accurately and rapidly determine 59Shigellaserotypes using Illumina paired-end whole-genome sequencing (WGS) reads.Shigellaserotype determinants and species-specific diagnostic markers were first identified through read alignment to an in-house curated reference sequence database. Relying on sequence hits that passed a threshold level of coverage and accuracy, serotype could be unambiguously predicted within 1 min for an average-size WGS sample of ∼500 MB. Validation with WGS data from 380 isolates showed an accuracy rate of 98.2%. This pipeline is the first step toward building a comprehensive WGS-based analysis pipeline ofShigellaspp. in a field laboratory setting, where speed is essential and resources need to be more cost-effectively dedicated.IMPORTANCEShigellacauses diarrheal disease with serious public health implications. However, conventionalShigellaidentification methods are laborious and time-consuming and can be erroneous due to the high similarity betweenShigellaand enteroinvasiveEscherichia coli(EIEC) and cross-reactivity between serotyping antisera. Further, serotype interpretation is complicated for inexperienced users. To develop an easier method with higher accuracy based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS) forShigellaserotyping, we systematically examined genomic information ofShigellaisolates from 53 serotypes to define rules for differentiation and serotyping. We created ShigaTyper, an automated pipeline that accurately and rapidly excludes non-Shigellaisolates and identifies 59Shigellaserotypes using Illumina paired-end WGS reads. A serotype can be unambiguously predicted at a data processing speed of 538 MB/min with 98.2% accuracy from a regular laptop. Once it is installed, training in bioinformatics analysis andShigellagenetics is not required. This pipeline is particularly useful to general microbiologists in field laboratories.

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequencing for Predicting Clarithromycin Resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Lipworth ◽  
Natasha Hough ◽  
Laura Leach ◽  
Marcus Morgan ◽  
Katie Jeffery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Mycobacterium Abscessus ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Predictive Algorithm ◽  
Chronic Lung Diseases ◽  
Phenotype Data

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium abscessus is emerging as an important pathogen in chronic lung diseases, with concern regarding patient-to-patient transmission. The recent introduction of routine whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a replacement for existing reference techniques in England provides an opportunity to characterize the genetic determinants of resistance. We conducted a systematic review to catalogue all known resistance-determining mutations. This knowledge was used to construct a predictive algorithm based on mutations in the erm(41) and rrl genes which was tested on a collection of 203 sequentially acquired clinical isolates for which there were paired genotype/phenotype data. A search for novel resistance-determining mutations was conducted using a heuristic algorithm. The sensitivity of existing knowledge for predicting resistance in clarithromycin was 95% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89 to 98%), and the specificity was 66% (95% CI, 54 to 76%). The subspecies alone was a poor predictor of resistance to clarithromycin. Eight potential new resistance-conferring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. WGS demonstrated probable resistance-determining SNPs in regions that the NTM-DR line probe cannot detect. These mutations are potentially clinically important, as they all occurred in samples that were predicted to be inducibly resistant and for which a macrolide would therefore currently be indicated. We were unable to explain all resistance, raising the possibility of the involvement of other as yet unidentified genes.

scholarly journals Expanding U.S. Laboratory Capacity for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Whole-Genome Sequencing through the CDC's Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen N. Kersh ◽  
Cau D. Pham ◽  
John R. Papp ◽  
Robert Myers ◽  
Richard Steece ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Laboratory Capacity

ABSTRACT U.S. gonorrhea rates are rising, and antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (AR-Ng) is an urgent public health threat. Since implementation of nucleic acid amplification tests for N. gonorrhoeae identification, the capacity for culturing N. gonorrhoeae in the United States has declined, along with the ability to perform culture-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Yet AST is critical for detecting and monitoring AR-Ng. In 2016, the CDC established the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) to shore up the national capacity for detecting several resistance threats including N. gonorrhoeae. AR-Ng testing, a subactivity of the CDC’s AR Lab Network, is performed in a tiered network of approximately 35 local laboratories, four regional laboratories (state public health laboratories in Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington), and the CDC’s national reference laboratory. Local laboratories receive specimens from approximately 60 clinics associated with the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP), enhanced GISP (eGISP), and the program Strengthening the U.S. Response to Resistant Gonorrhea (SURRG). They isolate and ship up to 20,000 isolates to regional laboratories for culture-based agar dilution AST with seven antibiotics and for whole-genome sequencing of up to 5,000 isolates. The CDC further examines concerning isolates and monitors genetic AR markers. During 2017 and 2018, the network tested 8,214 and 8,628 N. gonorrhoeae isolates, respectively, and the CDC received 531 and 646 concerning isolates and 605 and 3,159 sequences, respectively. In summary, the AR Lab Network supported the laboratory capacity for N. gonorrhoeae AST and associated genetic marker detection, expanding preexisting notification and analysis systems for resistance detection. Continued, robust AST and genomic capacity can help inform national public health monitoring and intervention.

scholarly journals Whole-genome sequencing reveals rare off-target mutations in CRISPR/Cas9-edited grapevine

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianhang Wang ◽  
Mingxing Tu ◽  
Ya Wang ◽  
Wuchen Yin ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Indel Mutation ◽  
Target Sites

AbstractThe CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system is a powerful tool for targeted genome editing, with applications that include plant biotechnology and functional genomics research. However, the specificity of Cas9 targeting is poorly investigated in many plant species, including fruit trees. To assess the off-target mutation rate in grapevine (Vitis vinifera), we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of seven Cas9-edited grapevine plants in which one of two genes was targeted by CRISPR/Cas9 and three wild-type (WT) plants. In total, we identified between 202,008 and 272,397 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and between 26,391 and 55,414 insertions/deletions (indels) in the seven Cas9-edited grapevine plants compared with the three WT plants. Subsequently, 3272 potential off-target sites were selected for further analysis. Only one off-target indel mutation was identified from the WGS data and validated by Sanger sequencing. In addition, we found 243 newly generated off-target sites caused by genetic variants between the Thompson Seedless cultivar and the grape reference genome (PN40024) but no true off-target mutations. In conclusion, we observed high specificity of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome editing of grapevine.

scholarly journals Fast genetic mapping using insertion-deletion polymorphisms in Caenorhabditis elegans

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho-Yon Hwang ◽  
Jiou Wang
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Genetic Mapping ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Forward Genetics ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Large Populations

AbstractGenetic mapping is used in forward genetics to narrow the list of candidate mutations and genes corresponding to the mutant phenotype of interest. Even with modern advances in biology such as efficient identification of candidate mutations by whole-genome sequencing, mapping remains critical in pinpointing the responsible mutation. Here we describe a simple, fast, and affordable mapping toolkit that is particularly suitable for mapping in Caenorhabditis elegans. This mapping method uses insertion-deletion polymorphisms or indels that could be easily detected instead of single nucleotide polymorphisms in commonly used Hawaiian CB4856 mapping strain. The materials and methods were optimized so that mapping could be performed using tiny amount of genetic material without growing many large populations of mutants for DNA purification. We performed mapping of previously known and unknown mutations to show strengths and weaknesses of this method and to present examples of completed mapping. For situations where Hawaiian CB4856 is unsuitable, we provide an annotated list of indels as a basis for fast and easy mapping using other wild isolates. Finally, we provide rationale for using this mapping method over other alternatives as a part of a comprehensive strategy also involving whole-genome sequencing and other methods.

scholarly journals Mycobacterium chimaera genomics with regard to epidemiological and clinical investigations conducted for the open-chest post-surgical Mycobacterium chimaera infections outbreak

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Lecorche ◽  
Côme Daniau ◽  
Kevin La ◽  
Faiza Mougari ◽  
Hanaa Benmansour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Open Chest

Abstract Background Post-surgical infections due to Mycobacterium chimaera appeared as a novel nosocomial threat in 2015, with a worldwide outbreak due to contaminated heater-cooler units used in open chest surgery. We report the results of investigations conducted in France including whole genome sequencing comparison of patient and HCU isolates. Methods We sought M. chimaera infection cases from 2010 onwards through national epidemiological investigations in healthcare facilities performing cardiopulmonary bypass together with a survey on good practices and systematic heater-cooler unit microbial analyses. Clinical and HCU isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing analyzed with regards to the reference outbreak strain Zuerich-1. Results Only two clinical cases were shown to be related to the outbreak, although 23% (41/175) heater-cooler units were declared positive for M. avium complex. Specific measures to prevent infection were applied in 89% (50/56) healthcare facilities although only 14% (8/56) of them followed the manufacturer maintenance recommendations. Whole genome sequencing comparison showed that the clinical isolates and 72% (26/36) of heater-cooler unit isolates belonged to the epidemic cluster. Within clinical isolates, 5 to 9 non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed, among which an in vivo mutation in a putative efflux pump gene observed in a clinical isolate obtained for one patient under antimicrobial treatment. Conclusions Cases of post-surgical M. chimaera infections were declared to be rare in France, although heater-cooler units were contaminated as in other countries. Genomic analyses confirmed the connection to the outbreak and identified specific single nucleotide polymorphisms, including one suggesting fitness evolution in vivo.

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