TB Outbreaks Could Be 'Solved' by DNA Tracking, Scientists Say

Before now scientists could only analyse some but not all of DNA in infected samples. This would only give limited information to accurately reconstruct an outbreak and scientists could only make informed guesses at how pathogen spread through a population. However, now scientists have been able to use whole genome sequencing to analyse the bacterial DNA in infected samples. This reconstruction of the spread of killer diseases like tuberculosis from person to person can quickly identify the origin and movement of pathogens. A team from British Columbia Center of Disease Control in Vancouver, Canada tracked pathogen movements through a community and were able to identify key persons, places, and behaviors that attributed to the spread of disease. Dr. Jennifer Gardy, lead researcher, said that this work is directly informing public health policy and practice and with better control and prevention programs,we can ultimately reduce the burden of certain infectious diseases.