Phylogeographic Analysis Reveals Multiple International transmission Events Have Driven the Global Emergence of Escherichia coli O157:H7. (29th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franz, Eelco; Rotariu, Ovidiu; Lopes, Bruno S; MacRae, Marion; Bono, James L; Laing, Chad; Gannon, Victor; Söderlund, Robert; van Hoek, Angela H A M; Friesema, Ingrid; French, Nigel P; George, Tessy; Biggs, Patrick J; Jaros, Patricia; Rivas, Marta; Chinen, Isabel; Campos, Josefina; Jernberg, Cecilia; Gobius, Kari; Mellor, Glen E; Chandry, P Scott; Perez-Reche, Francisco; Forbes, Ken J; Strachan, Norval J C
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 69:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 437
• Publication Date: 2018-10-29
• Subjects: infectious diseases -- STEC -- whole-genome sequencing -- phylogeography -- E. coli O157; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy919
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Shiga toxin–producing Escherchia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is a zoonotic pathogen that causes numerous food and waterborne disease outbreaks. It is globally distributed, but its origin and the temporal sequence of its geographical spread are unknown. Methods: We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data of 757 isolates from 4 continents, and performed a pan-genome analysis to identify the core genome and, from this, extracted single-nucleotide polymorphisms. A timed phylogeographic analysis was performed on a subset of the isolates to investigate its worldwide spread. Results: The common ancestor of this set of isolates occurred around 1890 (1845–1925) and originated from the Netherlands. Phylogeographic analysis identified 34 major transmission events. The earliest were predominantly intercontinental, moving from Europe to Australia around 1937 (1909–1958), to the United States in 1941 (1921–1962), to Canada in 1960 (1943–1979), and from Australia to New Zealand in 1966 (1943–1982). This pre-dates the first reported human case of E. coli O157:H7, which was in 1975 from the United States. Conclusions: Inter- and intra-continental transmission events have resulted in the current international distribution of E. coli O157:H7, and it is likely that these events were facilitated by animal movements (eg, Holstein Friesian cattle). These findings will inform policy on action that is crucial to reduce the further spread of E. coli O157:H7 and other (emerging) STEC strains globally. Abstract : Phylogeographic analyses identified 34 major, international transmission events, starting in Europe around 1890, that resulted in the current distribution of Escherchia coli O157:H7. These were likely facilitated by global cattle movements, and will inform policy to reduce this pathogen's spread.