TY  - JOUR
U1  - Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
A1  - Neidhöfer, Claudio
A1  - Neuenhoff, Marcel
A1  - Jozič, Robert
A1  - Atangcho, Brenda
A1  - Unsleber, Sandra
A1  - Neder, Ulrike
A1  - Grumaz, Silke
A1  - Parčina, Marijo
T1  - Exploring clonality and virulence gene associations in bloodstream infections using whole-genome sequencing and clinical data
JF  - Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
N2  - Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Causative pathogens are routinely identified and susceptibility tested but only very rarely investigated for their resistance genes, virulence factors, and clonality. Our aim was to gain insight into the clonality patterns of different species causing BSI and the clinical relevance of distinct virulence genes.
Methods: For this study, we whole-genome-sequenced over 400 randomly selected important pathogens isolated from blood cultures in our diagnostic department between 2016 and 2021. Genomic data on virulence factors, resistance genes, and clonality were cross-linked with in-vitro data and demographic and clinical information.
Results: The investigation yielded extensive and informative data on the distribution of genes implicated in BSI as well as on the clonality of isolates across various species.
Conclusion: Associations between survival outcomes and the presence of specific genes must be interpreted with caution, and conducting replication studies with larger sample sizes for each species appears mandatory. Likewise, a deeper knowledge of virulence and host factors will aid in the interpretation of results and might lead to more targeted therapeutic and preventive measures. Monitoring transmission dynamics more efficiently holds promise to serve as a valuable tool in preventing in particular BSI caused by nosocomial pathogens.
KW  - bloodstream infections
KW  - Whole-genome sequencing
KW  - genotype-phenotype correlation
KW  - clonality patterns
KW  - resistance genes
KW  - genomic characterization of BSI
KW  - molecular epidemiology of BSI
KW  - virulence factors
Y1  - 2023
UN  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1044-opus-76684
SN  - 2235-2988
SS  - 2235-2988
U6  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1274573
DO  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1274573
PM  - 38035332
VL  - 13
SP  - 10
S1  - 10
PB  - Frontiers Media
ER  -