Multi-locus sequence typing: a tool for global epidemiology.

Rachel Urwin; Martin C J Maiden

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2003.08.006

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Multi-locus sequence typing: a tool for global epidemiology.

Rachel Urwin·Martin C J Maiden

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Abstract

The characterization of pathogenic isolates plays a pivotal role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, generating the information necessary for identifying, tracking, and intervening against disease outbreaks. In 1998 multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was proposed as a nucleotide sequence-based approach that could be applied to many bacterial pathogens. It combined developments in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics with established population genetics techniques to provide a portable, reproducible, and scalable typing system that reflected the population and evolutionary biology of bacterial pathogens. MLST schemes have been developed for a variety of procaryotic and eucaryotic pathogens and the data generated have contributed to both epidemiological surveillance and fundamental studies of pathogen biology.

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Bacteria Bacterial Infections Bacterial Typing Techniques Sequence Analysis, DNA Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

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Rachel Urwin, Martin C J Maiden. 2003. Multi-locus sequence typing: a tool for global epidemiology.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2003.08.006

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