Study Shows Whole Genome Sequencing Detects Hidden Infection Transmission In NICUs

Next Gen Diagnostics (NGD) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have unveiled a study highlighting the effectiveness of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in identifying bacterial pathogen transmission in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The study, which will be presented at the American Society for Microbiology Conference in Atlanta on June 15, underscores the limitations of conventional infection control procedures.

The research revealed that WGS could detect transmission events that traditional methods missed, even in highly resourced medical centres. Dr. Romney Humphries, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and Director of Laboratory Medicine at VUMC, stated that the WGS of S. aureus isolates from surveillance swabs and clinical samples indicated significant transmission. This information enabled the infection control team to implement effective measures.

Dr. David Gaston, Assistant Professor and Medical Director of Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory at VUMC, noted that transmission was more likely with MRSA compared to MSSA infections. The study involved 171 S. aureus samples from 132 patients, collected during April, June, and July. These samples were sequenced and analysed for genome relatedness using NGD's automated system.

The analysis found that 42 out of 132 patients (31.8%) with S. aureus infections were connected by transmission. The percentage was higher for MRSA infections (46.8%) compared to MSSA infections (21.2%). Thirteen distinct strains were involved, suggesting localized causes rather than a single outbreak.

Implications for Infection Control

Dr. Paul A. Rhodes, founder and CEO of NGD, emphasized the significance of WGS in detecting transmission in NICUs. He noted that even in state-of-the-art medical settings with vigilant monitoring, WGS provided insights not achievable with current methods.

Tom Talbot, Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Infection Prevention at VUMC, suggested that WGS could become a routine practice in wards where patients are at high risk. He pointed out that the cost-effectiveness of sequencing and bioinformatic analysis could make this approach more feasible.

About Next Gen Diagnostics

NGD offers high-volume sequencing and bioinformatic services to detect transmission in hospitals. The company collaborates with leading institutions in the U.S., Europe, and Israel to bring WGS-based diagnostics to patient care. NGD is headquartered in the U.S., with subsidiaries in Cambridge, UK, and Israel.

The study's findings highlight the potential of WGS to improve infection control practices in NICUs by providing detailed insights into pathogen transmission dynamics.