Direct whole-genome sequencing enables strain typing of unculturable <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i> from oropharyngeal carriage specimens.

ABSTRACT: Oropharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis (N.m.) is a prerequisite for invasive meningococcal disease. As such, genomic surveillance of disease-causing carriage strains can inform targeted public health responses. However, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) from isolates is often precluded due to the high rates of culture failure for N.m. samples collected in carriage studies. This study outlines an alternative method to sequence N.m. directly from oropharyngeal specimens that enables high-resolution molecular fine typing.We performed direct probe-capture enrichment WGS (dWGS) of N.m. on oropharyngeal specimens from the 'B part of it' South Australian and 'B part of it NT' Northern Territory meningococcal carriage studies (NCT03089086 and NCT04398849).

SUBMITTER: Coldbeck-Shackley RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12321007 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature