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

Claire Jenkins; Timothy J. Dallman; Kathie A. Grant

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.4.1800346

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

Claire Jenkins^*, Timothy J. Dallman, Kathie A. Grant

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	1800346
Journal	Eurosurveillance
Volume	24
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.4.1800346
Publication status	Published - 24 Jan 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank Francesco Tripodo, Vivienne do Nascimento, Amy Gentle, Marie Anne Chattaway, Dawn Hedges and Michael Wright at GBRU. We would also like to thank the national Gastrointestinal Infections national surveillance team, specifically Lisa Byrne, Natalie Adams, Amy Mikhail and Bob Adak. This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health or Public Health England.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.

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10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.4.1800346

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title = "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",

abstract = "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.",

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note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank Francesco Tripodo, Vivienne do Nascimento, Amy Gentle, Marie Anne Chattaway, Dawn Hedges and Michael Wright at GBRU. We would also like to thank the national Gastrointestinal Infections national surveillance team, specifically Lisa Byrne, Natalie Adams, Amy Mikhail and Bob Adak. This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health or Public Health England. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.",

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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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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