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Whole Genome Sequencing—Implications for Infection Prevention and Outbreak Investigations

  • Healthcare Associated Infections (G Bearman and D. Morgan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a laboratory method that has emerged as a promising tool for epidemiologic investigations.

Recent Findings

Genomic epidemiology approaches have been utilized in outbreak settings, community settings, within acute care hospitals, and across healthcare facilities to better understand transmission and spread of potential pathogens. These studies have highlighted how essential robust epidemiologic data is in these analyses as well as how results can be translated into clinical practice and infection control and prevention.

Summary

Existing studies have highlighted both the promise and challenges of using WGS as an epidemiologic tool in a community and healthcare setting and across a region. Costs for performing and interpreting WGS analyses are decreasing, and availability of and experience with WGS analyses in healthcare epidemiology are increasing. With these favorable trends, this laboratory method soon could emerge as the gold standard for epidemiologic evaluations.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University Infectious Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, 600 South Paulina, Suite 143, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Kyle J. Popovich

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Microbial Systems, University of Michigan, 1520D MSRB I, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5680, USA

    Evan S. Snitkin

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Correspondence to Kyle J. Popovich.

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Conflict of Interest

Drs. Popovich and Snitkin declare no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Healthcare Associated Infections

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Popovich, K.J., Snitkin, E.S. Whole Genome Sequencing—Implications for Infection Prevention and Outbreak Investigations. Curr Infect Dis Rep 19, 15 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-017-0570-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-017-0570-0

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