Use of whole genome sequencing as routine typing method - improvements in the investigation of foodborne outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes

  • Ariane Pietzka Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety – AGES, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene Division for Public Health
  • Brankica Lakićević Institute of meat hygiene and technology
  • Lazar Milojević Institute of meat hygiene and technology
  • Werner Ruppitsch Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety – AGES, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene Division for Public Health
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2023.64.2.4
Keywords: whole genome sequencing, WGS, Listeria monocytogenes, typing, outbreak

Abstract

Sequencing technologies have revolutionized the characterization of microorganisms in the recent years to a level that was previously unimaginable. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) techniques have evolved from an expensive luxury typing method affordable only to a few institutions to a common tool for routine analysis in public health microbiology. In particular, improvements in pathogen source tracking, determination of phylogenetic relationship, antibiotic resistance and virulence-traits have improved outbreak investigation tremendously. In addition, WGS allows the easy establishment of global databases based on standardized nomenclatures facilitating international data exchange, cross-border outbreak investigation strain tracking and source identification.

 

Published
2023-11-01
How to Cite
Pietzka, A., Lakićević, B., Milojević, L., & Ruppitsch, W. (2023). Use of whole genome sequencing as routine typing method - improvements in the investigation of foodborne outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes. Scientific Journal "Meat Technology", 64(2), 25-29. https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2023.64.2.4
Issue
Vol 64 No 2 (2023): Meat Technology - Special Isssue
Section
Review paper