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The use of genome sequencing to investigate an outbreak of hospital‐acquired mucormycosis in transplant patients
Author(s) -
Marek Caitlyn,
Croxen Matthew A.,
Dingle Tanis C.,
Bharat Amrita,
Schwartz Ilan S.,
Wiens Rhoda,
Smith Stephanie
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
transplant infectious disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1399-3062
pISSN - 1398-2273
DOI - 10.1111/tid.13163
Subject(s) - mucormycosis , outbreak , medicine , whole genome sequencing , epidemiology , genome , dna sequencing , virology , pathology , genetics , biology , gene
We report three cases of hospital‐acquired mucormycosis in heart and lung transplant patients over a 6‐month period. Traditional epidemiological investigation tools were used to look for a common link between patients to explain the outbreak. Genome sequencing of each fungal strain was used to supplement the investigation. By disproving a close genetic link between infecting strains of mucormycosis, we were able to conclude the outbreak investigation. Genome sequencing is a novel tool that can be used in addition to traditional epidemiologic investigations to help determine linkage of patients during outbreak investigations.