Gene sequencing helps poisoning detection

摘要

New analytical whole gene sequencing (WGS) techniques are speeding up the detection and accuracy of isolating the sources of food poisoning outbreaks, according to Public Health England (PHE). The ability to sequence whole genomes allows scientists to identify and differentiate between different bacterial and viral strains, Dr Marie Anne Chattaway, gastrointestinal clinical lead at PHE, told the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's 7th Annual Food Safety Conference last month. This approach had made it possible to rapidly and cheaply investigate foodborne disease outbreaks, said Chattaway. She added that PHE was now regularly using WGS to isolate food poisoning outbreaks associated with E.coli and salmonella.