Question

How does Whole Genome Sequencing work? Why is Whole Genome Sequencing useful for tracking the spread of S. Aureus infections?

What is a 'clone' of S. aureus? Which clone is most common in the US, Canada, and South America?

What is an 'endemic' disease? What are 'reservoirs' of disease? Which reservoirs play the greatest role in spreading MRSA in households?

What are some ways MRSA may be spread through the household?

What was one method used to reduce the rate of home based S. aureus infections? How effective was it?

Which of the outstanding questions at the end of the paper would be most important to follow up on in your opinion?

Answer 1

1.The whole genome sequencing works using bar-coded DNA from multiple bacteria that are combined and put in the whole genome sequencer. The sequencer works to identify  the A's, C's, T's, and G's, or bases, that make up the bacterial sequence.The sequencer uses the bar code in order to  keep track of which bases belong to which bacteria used.The clinical isolates of S. aureus can be compared with each other and with reference sequences with resolution of a single nucleotide difference.This gives a knowledge of the population structure of S. aureus,which allows and makes its easier to describe and definine the different lineages,thereby providing insights into the evolutionary history of the lineages.

2. A clone of S.aureus means that an individual organism/bacteria has grown from a single body cell of its parent cell and is also genetically identical to it.Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are more common in the US, Canada and South America.

3.An endemic disease is is specified to particular people or country.These diseases have a constant presence in a specific location. Example Malaria is endemic to certain parts of Africa.Reservoir of disease is the population of organisms or the specific environment in which an infectious pathogen can live naturally and reproduces, or it may also depend upon for its survival.At home, surfaces like towels, razors, furniture, utensils are reservoirs of MRSA.

4.MRSA can be spread through household by coming in contact with the infected person's things that he/she uses like towel, razor or even his/her infected wound parts.

5.One method used to reduce the rate of home based S. aureus infections would be use of disinfectants to clean the surfaces that might have been contaminated by the bacteria regularly as MRSA bacteria can survive for days, weeks or months on the surfaces and even disposing off any paper towels used to clean any infected person's wound at home properly.Make sure to replace old bandages with new one ,disposing the old one properly.This can be effective to a good extent.

What was one method used to reduce the rate of home based S. aureus infections? would be the most important to follow up to avoid further infection.