[The possibilities for the implementation of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Neisseria meningitidis in molecular surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in the Czech Republic]

The implementation of the surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease is recommended worldwide. The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) method increasingly comes to the fore, which provides the possibilities for further detailed characterization of Neisseria meningitidis and makes it possible to integrate all conventional sequencing approaches into one method. Six N. meningitidis isolates from 2013 and 2015, characterized previously by Sanger amplicon sequencing, were selected to be studied by the novel WGS method. WGS data analysis has confirmed the accuracy of this method in determining epidemiological markers. The aim of this communication is to point out the possibility for the implementation of WGS into molecular surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in the Czech Republic. The National Reference Laboratory for Meningococcal Infections (NRL/MEN) will continue to use WGS for molecular characterization of selected isolates of N. meningitidis and for the improvement of molecular surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in the country.