Institute for Infection Prevention and Control

TAPIR – Tracking of Aquisition of Pathogens In Real-time

The aim of the study is to determine the emergence, dissemination and population dynamics of health care-associated bacterial pathogens with emphasis on high risk clones (i.e. those with high tenacity due to antimicrobial resistance, transmissibility and virulence) at multiple levels of intertwined hospital care. This includes bacterial isolates obtained (i) at single ward level, (ii) patients undergoing complex care in a single hospital (University of Freiburg Medical Centre), and (iii) at the level of the regional patient referral network (Oberrhein). By applying surveillance of ultimate resolution using whole genome sequencing, we will determine the circulation of the indicator pathogen groups methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Currently, infection control is often limited by the ability to distinguish pathogenic lineages from one another and from less harmful commensals, as classical typing technologies lack resolution. Whole genome sequencing can provide the ultimate resolution, and will be commonplace in diagnostic laboratories in the near future. With my research group, I would like to implement real-time genome surveillance by sequencing directly from screening swabs. The new long read sequencing technology allows not only faster sequencing but also evaluation of the results as sequencing progresses. We want to find out fi this is also possible on the level of local clones. For infection control purposes, this is a major advantage as transmission events might be detected earlier and high-risk clones are identified. At the same time, transmission chains may also be disproved, saving complex isolation measure and extensive and often fruitless searches for an environmental source.

Further information:

www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de

Krankenhaushygiene: Detektivarbeit mit Hightech (gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de)