Utility of whole-genome sequencing during an investigation of multiple foodborne outbreaks of Shigella sonnei.

ABSTRACT: In April 2018, Public Health England was notified of cases of Shigella sonnei who had eaten food from three different catering outlets in England. The outbreaks were initially investigated as separate events, but whole-genome sequencing (WGS) showed they were caused by the same strain. The investigation included analyses of epidemiological data, the food chain and microbiological examination of food samples. WGS was used to determine the phylogenetic relatedness and antimicrobial resistance profile of the outbreak strain. Ultimately, 33 cases were linked to this outbreak; the majority had eaten food from seven outlets specialising in Indian or Middle Eastern cuisine. Five outlets were linked to two or more cases, all of which used fresh coriander although a shared supplier was not identifi

SUBMITTER: Mikhail AFW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8060841 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature