Genome Sequencing of MRSA Infection Predicts Disease Severity
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 24 Apr 2014 |
Image: The Genome Analyzer IIx (Photo courtesy of Illumina).
Image: The highly toxic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain (top) and less toxic strain (bottom) cultured on a blood agar plate (Photo courtesy of Ruth Massey).
Bacterial pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), cause disease in part due to toxicity, or the bacterium's ability to damage a host's tissue.
The spread of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen remains a concerning public health problem, especially among doctors trying to determine appropriate treatment options for infected patients.
Microbiologists at the University of Bath (UK) and a team of international scientists used whole genome sequences from 90 MRSA isolates to identify over 100 genetic loci associated with toxicity. Bacterial adhesion to human fibronectin and fibrinogen was assessed and adherent bacteria were calculated by using the crystal violet method and absorbance measured at A595 using a microtiter plate reader. The toxicity of individual isolates was assayed in three ways.
The identification of genetic variation in the clinical isolates was studied using unique index-tagged libraries created for each sample, and up to 12 separate libraries were sequenced in each of eight channels in the Genome Analyzer GAIIx cells (Illumina; San Diego, CA, USA) with 75-base paired-end reads.
The authors found that by using whole genome sequences from 90 MRSA isolates they were able to identify over 100 genetic loci associated with toxicity and despite belonging to the same ST239 clone, the isolates varied greatly in toxicity. Importantly, the highly toxic isolates shared a common genetic signature. By looking for this signature in the MRSA genome, the investigators were able to predict which isolates were the most toxic and thus more likely to cause severe disease when used to infect mice.
Ruth C. Massey, PhD, the lead author of the study, said, “As the cost and speed of genome sequencing decreases, it is becoming increasingly feasible to sequence the genome of an infecting organism. In a clinical setting, sequencing may be useful for deciding the course of MRSA treatment. For example, a clinician may treat a highly toxic infection more aggressively, including prescribing certain antibiotics known to reduce toxin expression. The patient also may be monitored more closely for complications and isolated from others to help control the spread of infection.” The study was published on April 9, 2014, in the journal Genome Research.
Related Links:
University of Bath
Illumina
The spread of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen remains a concerning public health problem, especially among doctors trying to determine appropriate treatment options for infected patients.
Microbiologists at the University of Bath (UK) and a team of international scientists used whole genome sequences from 90 MRSA isolates to identify over 100 genetic loci associated with toxicity. Bacterial adhesion to human fibronectin and fibrinogen was assessed and adherent bacteria were calculated by using the crystal violet method and absorbance measured at A595 using a microtiter plate reader. The toxicity of individual isolates was assayed in three ways.
The identification of genetic variation in the clinical isolates was studied using unique index-tagged libraries created for each sample, and up to 12 separate libraries were sequenced in each of eight channels in the Genome Analyzer GAIIx cells (Illumina; San Diego, CA, USA) with 75-base paired-end reads.
The authors found that by using whole genome sequences from 90 MRSA isolates they were able to identify over 100 genetic loci associated with toxicity and despite belonging to the same ST239 clone, the isolates varied greatly in toxicity. Importantly, the highly toxic isolates shared a common genetic signature. By looking for this signature in the MRSA genome, the investigators were able to predict which isolates were the most toxic and thus more likely to cause severe disease when used to infect mice.
Ruth C. Massey, PhD, the lead author of the study, said, “As the cost and speed of genome sequencing decreases, it is becoming increasingly feasible to sequence the genome of an infecting organism. In a clinical setting, sequencing may be useful for deciding the course of MRSA treatment. For example, a clinician may treat a highly toxic infection more aggressively, including prescribing certain antibiotics known to reduce toxin expression. The patient also may be monitored more closely for complications and isolated from others to help control the spread of infection.” The study was published on April 9, 2014, in the journal Genome Research.
Related Links:
University of Bath
Illumina
Latest Microbiology News
- Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Decision Support Software a Game-Changer in Antimicrobial Resistance Battle
- New CE-Marked Hepatitis Assays to Help Diagnose Infections Earlier
- 1 Hour, Direct-From-Blood Multiplex PCR Test Identifies 95% of Sepsis-Causing Pathogens
- Mouth Bacteria Test Could Predict Colon Cancer Progression
- Unique Metabolic Signature Could Enable Sepsis Diagnosis within One Hour of Blood Collection
- Groundbreaking Diagnostic Platform Provides AST Results With Unprecedented Speed
- Simple Blood Test Combined With Personalized Risk Model Improves Sepsis Diagnosis
- Blood Analysis Predicts Sepsis and Organ Failure in Children
- TB Blood Test Could Detect Millions of Silent Spreaders
- New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours
- New Tuberculosis Test to Expand Testing Access in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- Rapid Test Diagnoses Tropical Disease within Hours for Faster Antibiotics Treatment
- Rapid Molecular Testing Enables Faster, More Targeted Antibiotic Treatment for Pneumonia
- Rapid AST Platform Provides Targeted Therapeutic Results Days Faster Than Current Standard of Care
- New Analysis Method Detects Pathogens in Blood Faster and More Accurately by Melting DNA