Phylogeographic analysis reveals multiple international transmission events have driven the global emergence of Escherichia coli O157:H7

Eelco Franz, Ovidiu Rotariu, Bruno S. Lopes, Marion Macrae, James L. Bono, Chad Laing, Victor Gannon, Robert Söderlund, Angela H.A.M. Van Hoek, Ingrid Friesema, Nigel P. French, Tessy George, Patrick J. Biggs, Patricia Jaros, Marta Rivas, Isabel Chinen, Josefina Campos, Cecilia Jernberg, Kari Gobius, Glen E. MellorP. Scott Chandry, Francisco Perez-Reche, Ken J. Forbes, Norval J.C. Strachan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background
Shiga toxin-producing Escherchia coli O157:H7 is a zoonotic pathogen which causes numerous food and waterborne disease outbreaks. It is globally distributed but its origin and temporal sequence of geographical spread is unknown.

Methods
We analysed Whole Genome Sequencing data of 757 isolates from 4 continents and performed a pan genome analysis to identify the core genome and from this extracted single nucleotide polymorphisms. Timed phylogeographic analysis was performed on a subset of the isolates to investigate it’s worldwide spread.

Results
The common ancestor of this set of isolates occurred around 1890 (1845–1925) and originated from the Netherlands. Phylogeographic analysis identified 34 major transmission events. The earliest were predominantly intercontinental from Europe to Australia around 1937 (1909-1958), to USA in 1941 (1921-1962), to Canada in 1960 (1943-1979), and from Australia to New Zealand in 1966 (1943-1982). This pre-dates the first reported human case of E. coli O157:H7 in 1975 from the USA.

Conclusions
Inter- and intra- continental transmission events have resulted in the current international distribution of E. coli O157:H7 and it is likely that these events were facilitated by animal movements (e.g. Holstein Friesian cattle). These findings will inform policy on action that is crucial to reduce further spread of E. coli O157:H7 and other (emerging) STEC strains globally.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)428-437
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume69
Issue number3
Early online date29 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2019

Bibliographical note

This work was supported by: Scotland by Food Standards Scotland [Grant Number FS102029] and University of Aberdeen; New Zealand, Institute of Environmental Science and Research; Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada; United States, United States Department of Agriculture

Keywords

  • infectious diseases
  • STEC
  • whole genome sequencing
  • phylogeography
  • E. coli O157
  • whole-genome sequencing
  • CATTLE
  • SPREAD
  • HISTORY

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