Using Evolutionary Analyses to Refine Whole-Genome Sequence Match Criteria

Whole-genome sequence databases continue to grow. Collection times between samples are also growing, providing both a challenge for comparing recently collected sequence data to historical samples and an opportunity for evolutionary analyses that can be used to refine match criteria. We measured evolutionary rates for 22 Salmonella enterica serotypes. Based upon these measurements, we propose using an evolutionary rate of 1.97 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) per year when determining whether genome sequences match.

Automated summary

Whole-genome sequence databases are expanding, posing challenges in comparing recent data to historical samples but also offering opportunities for evolutionary analyses. The evolutionary rates for 22 Salmonella enterica serotypes were measured, and a rate of 1.97 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) per year is proposed for determining genome sequence matches.