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RESEARCH ARTICLE

From isolate to answer: how whole genome sequencing is helping us rapidly characterise nosocomial bacterial outbreaks

Leah Roberts
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
Tel: +61 7 3365 8549
Email: l.roberts3@uq.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 38(3) 127-130 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA17047
Published: 18 August 2017

Abstract

The occurrence of highly resistant bacterial pathogens has risen in recent years, causing immense strain on the healthcare industry. Hospital-acquired infections are arguably of most concern, as bacterial outbreaks in clinical settings provide an ideal environment for proliferation among vulnerable populations. Understanding these outbreaks beyond what can be determined with traditional clinical diagnostics and implementing these new techniques routinely in the hospital environment has now become a major focus. This brief review will discuss the three main whole genome sequence techniques available today, and how they are being used to further discriminate bacterial outbreaks in nosocomial settings.


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