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Genomic epidemiology and multilevel genome typing of Bordetella pertussis

Michael Payne1, Zheng Xu1, Dalong Hu1

  • 1School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Emerging Microbes & Infections
|July 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A new multilevel genome typing (MGT) system for Bordetella pertussis enhances global surveillance of whooping cough strains, tracking vaccine antigen changes and antimicrobial resistance. This genomic tool aids in understanding and controlling pertussis outbreaks.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough), caused by Bordetella pertussis, is resurging globally, partly due to vaccine adaptation.
  • Emerging antimicrobial resistance, particularly to macrolides in China, poses a significant public health concern.
  • Effective surveillance requires robust genomic typing, yet a standardized nomenclature for B. pertussis is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To implement and validate a multilevel genome typing (MGT) system for Bordetella pertussis.
  • To establish a standardized genomic nomenclature for B. pertussis strain characterization.
  • To facilitate global surveillance of circulating and emerging B. pertussis strains, including those with vaccine antigen variation and antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a five-level Multilevel Genome Typing (MGT) system for B. pertussis.
  • Utilizing lower resolution levels (MGT2-MGT3) to track major vaccine antigen alleles (ptxP, fim3, fhaB, prn) and global trends.
  • Employing mid-resolution levels (MGT3-MGT4) for antibiotic-resistant and Prn-deficient lineages, and high-resolution (MGT5) for fine-scale epidemiological events.

Main Results:

  • The MGT system provides tiered resolution for targeted lineage identification and fine-scale discrimination.
  • Lower resolution levels effectively map vaccine antigen allele distribution and temporal-spatial trends.
  • Higher resolution levels enable detailed tracking of antibiotic resistance and outbreak epidemiology, comparable to existing methods.

Conclusions:

  • The implemented MGT scheme offers a comprehensive, robust, and scalable solution for global B. pertussis surveillance.
  • Stable MGT-type assignments will harmonize typing efforts and improve inter-laboratory communication.
  • The publicly accessible and regularly updated MGT database supports ongoing monitoring of pertussis strains worldwide.

Keywords:
Bordetella pertussisEpidemiologydatabasegenomic typing nomenclaturegenomicsmultilevel genome typingpublic healthsurveillance

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