Rapid whole-genome sequencing for investigation of a neonatal MRSA outbreak.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to a single lineage are often indistinguishable by means of current typing techniques. Whole-genome sequencing may provide improved resolution to define transmission pathways and characterize outbreaks.

Methods

We investigated a putative MRSA outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit. By using rapid high-throughput sequencing technology with a clinically relevant turnaround time, we retrospectively sequenced the DNA from seven isolates associated with the outbreak and another seven MRSA isolates associated with carriage of MRSA or bacteremia in the same hospital.

Results

We constructed a phylogenetic tree by comparing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the core genome to a refe

SUBMITTER: Koser CU 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3715836 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature