K G Joensen1, K G Kuhn2, L Müller3, J T Björkman1, M Torpdahl1, J Engberg4, H M Holt5, H L Nielsen6, A M Petersen7, S Ethelberg3, E M Nielsen1. 1. Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: kuh@ssi.dk. 3. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark. 5. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. 6. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. 7. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of Gastroenterology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Outbreaks of Campylobacter are traditionally considered to be rare; however, rather than being the true nature of the disease, this may reflect our present inability to detect them. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic and epidemiological degree of clustering among Campylobacter jejuni isolates from Danish patients. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was applied to 245 C. jejuni isolates from patients with domestically acquired infection over a 9-month period in 2015 and 2016. RESULTS: WGS demonstrated that 62 of the 245 isolates (25%) clustered genetically. In total, 21 genetic clusters were identified of which four (18%) consisted of five isolates or more. Seventeen (81%) of the 21 genetic clusters were clustered in space and/or time. Of the 245 isolates, 49 (20%) were part of a temporal and/or geographical cluster. The identified clusters included two outbreaks; one which had not been identified through the existing surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS: Using WGS, we show that Campylobacter case clustering and even outbreaks appear to occur more often than previously assumed, providing important new insight into the relatively poorly understood epidemiology of the most important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the industrialized world.
OBJECTIVES: Outbreaks of Campylobacter are traditionally considered to be rare; however, rather than being the true nature of the disease, this may reflect our present inability to detect them. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic and epidemiological degree of clustering among Campylobacter jejuni isolates from Danish patients. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was applied to 245 C. jejuni isolates from patients with domestically acquired infection over a 9-month period in 2015 and 2016. RESULTS: WGS demonstrated that 62 of the 245 isolates (25%) clustered genetically. In total, 21 genetic clusters were identified of which four (18%) consisted of five isolates or more. Seventeen (81%) of the 21 genetic clusters were clustered in space and/or time. Of the 245 isolates, 49 (20%) were part of a temporal and/or geographical cluster. The identified clusters included two outbreaks; one which had not been identified through the existing surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS: Using WGS, we show that Campylobacter case clustering and even outbreaks appear to occur more often than previously assumed, providing important new insight into the relatively poorly understood epidemiology of the most important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the industrialized world.
Authors: Steven C Ricke; Kristina M Feye; W Evan Chaney; Zhaohao Shi; Hilary Pavlidis; Yichao Yang Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2019-01-23 Impact factor: 5.640
Authors: Lauren K Hudson; William E Andershock; Runan Yan; Mugdha Golwalkar; Nkuchia M M'ikanatha; Irving Nachamkin; Linda S Thomas; Christina Moore; Xiaorong Qian; Richard Steece; Katie N Garman; John R Dunn; Jasna Kovac; Thomas G Denes Journal: Microorganisms Date: 2021-11-05
Authors: Katrine G Joensen; Kristoffer Kiil; Mette R Gantzhorn; Birgitte Nauerby; Jørgen Engberg; Hanne M Holt; Hans L Nielsen; Andreas M Petersen; Katrin G Kuhn; Gudrun Sandø; Steen Ethelberg; Eva M Nielsen Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2020-03 Impact factor: 6.883