A5070603553- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Escherichia coli research studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Infections and bacterial resistance
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
University of Toronto
2015-2022
Canada Research Chairs
2022
Public Health Ontario
2014-2021
Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve
2021
Toronto Public Health
2014-2020
Public Health Agency of Canada
2015-2018
Sinai Hospital
2018
University of Minnesota Medical Center
2016
McGill University
2011-2015
Génome Québec
2015
ABSTRACT Using serotyping, multilocus sequence typing, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of selected strains, we studied the population structure 102 group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates prospectively sampled in 2014 from vaginal/rectal swabs healthy pregnant women metropolitan Toronto, Canada. We also determined susceptibilities each colonizing to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, other antimicrobial agents. Overall, observed a high rate tetracycline resistance (89%)...
Significance Serotype V group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection rates in humans have steadily increased during the past several decades. We determined that 92% of bloodstream infections caused by serotype GBS Houston and Toronto are genetically related strains called sequence type (ST) 1. Whole-genome analysis 202 ST-1 revealed molecular relationship among these they closely to a bovine strain. Moreover, we found subset genes is under selective evolutionary pressure, indicating proteins...
Streptococcus suis is divided into 29 serotypes based on a serological reaction against the capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Multiplex PCR tests targeting cps locus are also used to determine S. serotypes, but they cannot differentiate between 1 and 14, 2 1/2. Here, we developed pipeline permitting in silico serotype determination from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) short-read data that can readily identify all serotypes. We sequenced genomes of 121 strains representing known next combined...
ABSTRACT We determined the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) type of 600 group B Streptococcus (GBS) (also known as agalactiae ) strains recovered from patients with invasive infections in greater Toronto area, Canada, between 2009 and 2012. GBS CPS III were most prevalent among infants (44% those early-onset disease, 75% late-onset disease), while V frequently isolated adult (26% ≥19 years old). next investigated presence our collection belonging to hypervirulent multilocus sequence typing...
ABSTRACT An outbreak of type emm59 invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease was declared in 2008 Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Ontario, 2 years after a countrywide epidemic recognized Canada. Despite declining number infections since 2010, numerous cases iGAS continue to be reported the area. We collected clinical information on all recorded District from 2013. also emm typed and sequenced genomes available strains isolated 2011 2013 severe soft tissue infections. used whole-genome...
Abstract A significant proportion of group B Streptococcus (GBS) neonatal disease, particularly late-onset is associated with strains serotype III, clonal complex (CC) 17. CC17 also cause invasive infections in adults. Little known about the phylogenetic relationships isolates recovered from and adult infections. We performed whole-genome-based analysis 93 temporally geographically matched isolated both metropolitan region Toronto/Peel, Canada. mined whole-genome data to reveal mobile...
Worldwide, indigenous populations appear to be at increased risk for invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections. Although there is empirical evidence that the burden of iGAS disease significant among remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, epidemiology infections area remains poorly characterized.Individuals met case definition and whose laboratory specimens were processed by Meno Ya Win Health Centre Sioux Lookout, Canada or who reported Thunder Bay District...
We recently showed that 37/600 (6.2%) invasive infections with group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were caused by serotype IV strains. report a relatively high level of genetic diversity 37 strains this emerging GBS serotype. Multilocus sequence typing identified 6 types (STs) belonged to 3 clonal complexes. Most isolates ST-459 (19/37, 51%) and ST-452 (11/37, 30%), but we also ST-291, ST-3, ST-196, novel ST-682. detected further performing whole-genome single-nucleotide...
Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen and zoonotic agent. Serotype 2 strains are the most frequently associated with disease. However, not all serotype lineages considered virulent. Indeed, sequence type (ST) 28 S. have been described as homogeneous group of low virulence. ST28 often isolated from diseased in some countries, at least four human cases reported. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing animal infection models to test hypothesis that lineage comprises different genetic...
Typing of group A Streptococcus (GAS) is crucial for infection control and epidemiology. While whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revolutionizing the way that bacterial organisms are typed, it necessary to provide backward compatibility with currently used typing schemas facilitate comparisons understanding epidemiological trends. Here, we sequenced genomes 191 GAS isolates representing 42 different emm types bioinformatics tools derive commonly information directly from short-read WGS data. We...
Strains of serotype 2 Streptococcus suis are responsible for swine and human infections. Different genetic backgrounds have been defined using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). However, little is known about the diversity within each MLST type (ST). Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to test hypothesis that S. strains ST25 lineage genetically heterogeneous. We evaluated 51 isolated from diseased pigs humans in Canada, United States America, Thailand. Whole-genome revealed numerous...
Serotype IV group B Streptococcus (GBS) is emerging in Canada and the United States with rates as high 5% of total burden adult invasive GBS disease. To understand this emergence, we studied population structure assessed antimicrobial susceptibility serotype isolates causing infection Manitoba Saskatchewan, Canada, between 2010 2014. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine multilocus sequence typing information identify genes encoding resistance 85 strains. Antimicrobial testing...
Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen suspected to be reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. The genomes 214 strains 27 serotypes were screened for AMR genes and chromosomal Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs), in particular Integrative Conjugative (ICEs) Mobilizable (IMEs). functionality two ICEs that host IMEs carrying was investigated by excision tests conjugation experiments. In silico search revealed 416 ICE-related 457 IME-related elements. These MGEs exhibit an impressive...
Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates of the Manila sublineage are genetically homogeneous. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to type a collection 36 M. family. WGS enabled subtyping these into at least 10 distinct clusters. Our results indicate that is powerful approach determining relatedness family isolates.
We report several cases of recombination events leading to capsular switching among sequence type (ST) 1 group B Streptococcus strains. These strains otherwise shared a common genome backbone with serotype V ST1 However, the genomes and those serotypes VI, VII, VIII differed substantially.
<h3>BACKGROUND:</h3> The implementation of outbreak management measures has decreased the frequency and severity SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes. We describe epidemiological laboratory data from one first such to assess factors associated with its severity, impact progressive interventions for infection control over course outbreak. <h3>METHODS:</h3> obtained line list public health unit resident staff cases, distribution cases time within facility. Where available, we...
We report a case of Streptococcus suis human disease in Ontario, Canada, caused by serotype 2 strain genotypically similar to those commonly isolated from pigs North America. Initially, the isolate was misidentified as viridans group Streptococcus. Human S. infections may be underdiagnosed
Abstract The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is the major virulence factor of emerging zoonotic pathogen Streptococcus suis . CPS differences are also basis for serological differentiation species into 29 serotypes. Serotypes 2 and 1/2, which possess identical gene content in their cps loci, express CPSs that differ only by substitution galactose (Gal) N -acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) side chain. same sugar differentiates serotypes 14 1, whose loci content. Here, using mutagenesis, structural...
The number of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections due to hitherto extremely rare type emm74 strains has increased in several Canadian provinces since late 2015. We hypothesized that the cases recorded different are linked and caused by an clone recently emerged expanded explosively.We analyzed both active passive surveillance data for iGAS used whole-genome sequencing investigate phylogenetic relationships responsible these country-wide.Genome analysis showed highly clonal...
Travel-related dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 continues to contribute the global pandemic. A novel lineage (B.1.177) reportedly arose in Spain summer 2020, with subsequent spread across Europe linked travel by infected individuals. Surveillance and monitoring through use whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers insights into local movement pathogens such as can detect introductions variants.We analysed genomes sequenced for surveillance purposes from specimens received Public Health Ontario (Sept 6...
Prevention and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections remain challenging. In-depth surveillance integrating patient isolate data can provide evidence to better inform infection public health practice.We analyzed MRSA cases diagnosed in 2010 (n = 212) 2016 214) by hospitals Ontario, Canada. Case-level clinical demographic were integrated with characteristics, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), classic genotyping, whole-genome sequencing...