A hot topic at the recent VTEC Network Annual Conference was whole genome sequencing, which has huge potential for reference and research laboratories, as it gives much more information on strains than previous techniques.
Dr Claire Jenkins, from Public Health England, spoke about using whole genome sequencing in terms of public health surveillance, while Lisa Rogers of University College Dublin talked about the genomic analysis of VTEC.
Whole genome sequencing can identify more VTEC serogroups than traditional methods, according to Dr Geraldine Duffy, VTEC network facilitator and Head of Food Safety in the Teagasc Food Research Programme. “It’s being able to show relationships with strains with different geographical origins or that have appeared in clinical infections at different times which is hugely helpful in terms of managing outbreaks.”
Experts from around Europe presented new research to 90 delegates at the conference, which was held in Blanchardstown, Dublin. Speakers included Dr Claire Jenkins (Public Health England), Prof Marcello Trevisani (University of Bologna, Italy) and Dr Gro Johannessen (Norwegian Veterinary Institute).
One of the main challenges discussed was the diverse range of serogroups causing human infection. “A number of years ago, O157 would have been the most dominant cause of infection. Almost a third of cases are now being linked to diverse non-O157 serogroups outside the top five”, says Geraldine.
As with last year’s conference, PCR was a discussion point as problems using it as a detection tool are still ongoing. The fact that some samples are positive, but the bacteria cannot be cultured still causes a lot of issues on a practical level, according to Geraldine.
Those attending the conference included regulatory, public health, veterinary public health and food industry representatives. “There was great discussion throughout the day and the audience was hugely engaged,” said Geraldine, adding that one opportunity identified was the need for better linkages and more activities outside these meetings.
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