Event Details

PHO Rounds: Laboratory Testing Methods & Applications in Bacterial Enteric Case & Outbreak Investigations

This PHO Rounds will provide an overview of laboratory testing methodologies for bacterial enteric pathogens: culture independent diagnostic test (CIDT) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Adoption of CIDT by laboratories in the community has increased over the last decade. Given this increase, proper case classification becomes increasingly important to accurately detect outbreaks and measure the impact of CIDT on the incidence of bacterial enteric pathogens. Since 2018, Public Health Ontario’s laboratory has used WGS for molecular subtyping. Its application has been extremely useful in identifying outbreak cases, and supporting outbreak investigations.

This Rounds will refresh and strengthen the audience’s understanding of CIDT and WGS, and the application for enteric case and outbreak investigations.

Intended audience: Public health unit staff working in infectious diseases or food safety programs who are involved in bacterial enteric cases, and outbreak investigations and food safety investigations.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Utilize laboratory terminology for laboratory testing methods in CIDT and WGS.
  • Describe the use of culture-independent diagnostic test (CIDT) in Ontario laboratories for enteric bacterial detection.
  • Describe the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for enteric bacterial outbreak surveillance and investigation.
  • Assign case classification correctly based on laboratory results.
  • Explain the impact of CIDT on the incidence of bacterial enteric diseases of public health significance.

Presenter(s): Dr. Antoine Corbeil and Christina Lee

Dr. Antoine Corbeil, MD FRCPC DTM&H, is a Medical Microbiologist at Public Health Ontario (PHO), where he is the portfolio lead for parasitology, enteric bacteriology, point-of-care testing and education.

Christina Lee is a Senior Program Specialist with PHO’s Enteric, Zoonotic, Vector-borne Diseases unit. She collaborates with municipal, provincial and federal partners to investigate foodborne illness clusters and outbreaks. Prior to joining PHO, she worked as health promotion consultant and as a public health inspector at local health units.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

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Contact

Capacity Building

capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca

Published 19 Sep 2024