The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting
The rapid detection and containment of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is critical in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks within healthcare settings. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a powerful tool for tracking the transmission dynamics of pathogens and when...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1504796/full |
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| author | Nicole Pacchiarini Caoimhe McKerr Mari Morgan Thomas R. Connor Thomas R. Connor Christopher Williams |
| author_facet | Nicole Pacchiarini Caoimhe McKerr Mari Morgan Thomas R. Connor Thomas R. Connor Christopher Williams |
| author_sort | Nicole Pacchiarini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rapid detection and containment of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is critical in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks within healthcare settings. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a powerful tool for tracking the transmission dynamics of pathogens and when used alongside traditional epidemiological methods it can better inform our understanding of the pathogen origin, pathway and extent of transmission. Additionally, WGS can aid in identifying previously unrecognized reservoirs of infection, allowing for more effective control strategies and targeted interventions. This article describes the incorporation of WGS into infectious disease management in Wales and explores it in the context of COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile. We also describe the developments made to the workforce in Wales to enable the expansion of WGS and reflect on the resources, infrastructure and training frameworks still required. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8b6db35aa4ab4eed95a252f59f8f41d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8b6db35aa4ab4eed95a252f59f8f41d52025-01-31T06:39:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15047961504796The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare settingNicole Pacchiarini0Caoimhe McKerr1Mari Morgan2Thomas R. Connor3Thomas R. Connor4Christopher Williams5Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), Public Health Wales, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomCommunicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), Public Health Wales, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomCommunicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), Public Health Wales, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomPublic Health Genomics Programme, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomSchool of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomCommunicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), Public Health Wales, Cardiff, Wales, United KingdomThe rapid detection and containment of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is critical in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks within healthcare settings. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a powerful tool for tracking the transmission dynamics of pathogens and when used alongside traditional epidemiological methods it can better inform our understanding of the pathogen origin, pathway and extent of transmission. Additionally, WGS can aid in identifying previously unrecognized reservoirs of infection, allowing for more effective control strategies and targeted interventions. This article describes the incorporation of WGS into infectious disease management in Wales and explores it in the context of COVID-19 and Clostridioides difficile. We also describe the developments made to the workforce in Wales to enable the expansion of WGS and reflect on the resources, infrastructure and training frameworks still required.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1504796/fullSARS-CoV-2COVID-19whole genome sequencing (WGS)healthcare acquired infectionsClostridioides difficilenosocomial infection |
| spellingShingle | Nicole Pacchiarini Caoimhe McKerr Mari Morgan Thomas R. Connor Thomas R. Connor Christopher Williams The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting Frontiers in Public Health SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 whole genome sequencing (WGS) healthcare acquired infections Clostridioides difficile nosocomial infection |
| title | The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| title_full | The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| title_fullStr | The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| title_short | The potential of genomic epidemiology: capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| title_sort | potential of genomic epidemiology capitalizing on its practical use for impact in the healthcare setting |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 whole genome sequencing (WGS) healthcare acquired infections Clostridioides difficile nosocomial infection |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1504796/full |
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