Whole-genome sequencing as standard practice for the analysis of clonality in outbreaks of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a paediatric setting. Issue 4 (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ugolotti, E.; Larghero, P.; Vanni, I.; Bandettini, R.; Tripodi, G.; Melioli, G.; Di Marco, E.; Raso, A.; Biassoni, R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 93:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 381
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: MRSA -- Whole-genome sequencing -- Paediatric hospital outbreak -- Hospital-associated infections; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of hospital-associated infections. This study investigated the potential use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for surveillance purposes by re-examining MRSA strains related to past outbreaks among hospitalized paediatric patients. WGS data ameliorated the genotypic profile previously obtained with Sanger sequencing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing, and discriminated between strains that were related and unrelated to the outbreaks. This allowed strain clonality to be defined with a higher level of resolution than achieved previously. This study demonstrates the potential of WGS to trace hospital outbreaks, which may lead to WGS becoming standard practice in outbreak investigations.