After the deluge: mining Staphylococcus aureus genomic data for clinical associations and host-pathogen interactions

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2018 Feb:41:43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.11.014. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

Abstract

The genome of Staphylococcus aureus has rapidly become one the most frequently sequenced among bacteria, with more than 40000 genome sequences uploaded to public databases. Computational resources required for analysis and quality assessment have lagged behind accumulation of sequence data. Improved analytic pipelines, in combination with the development of customized S. aureus reference databases, can be used to inform S. aureus biology and potentially predict clinical outcome. Here, we review the currently available data about S. aureus genome in public databases, and discuss their potential utility for understanding S. aureus evolution. Also discussed are ways to overcome challenges to the application of whole-genome sequencing data for prevention and management of S. aureus disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Genomics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Interspersed Repetitive Sequences
  • Mutation
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Substances

  • Virulence Factors