RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Next-generation Sequencing for Outbreak Investigation in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 70
OP 77
DO 10.29074/ascls.2019001750
VO 32
IS 2
A1 Dougherty, Caitlin E.
A1 Graf, Erin
YR 2019
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/32/2/70.abstract
AB With the advent of next-generation sequencing technologies, genomic investigations of pathogen outbreaks are now possible at unprecedented resolution. Prior methods requiring highly pathogen-specific protocols can now be replaced with a single universal protocol for whole-genome sequencing. Clinical applications have shown improvement in our understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics from the hospital to global level. However, there are several barriers to routine implementation in clinical microbiology laboratories. These include financial support for a nonbillable test; workforce training needs, particularly for highly complex data analysis methods; and lack of Food and Drug Administration–approved methods requiring extensive laboratory validation.