GAMBIT (Genomic Approximation Method for Bacterial Identification and Tracking): A methodology to rapidly leverage whole genome sequencing of bacterial isolates for clinical identification

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of clinical bacterial isolates has the potential to transform the fields of diagnostics and public health. To realize this potential, bioinformatic software that reports identification results needs to be developed that meets the quality standards of a diagnostic test. We developed GAMBIT (Genomic Approximation Method for Bacterial Identification and Tracking) using k-mer based strategies for identification of bacteria based on WGS reads. GAMBIT incorporates this algorithm with a highly curated searchable database of 48,224 genomes. Herein, we describe validation of the scoring methodology, parameter robustness, establishment of confidence thresholds and the curation of the reference database. We assessed GAMBIT by way of validation studies when it was deployed as a laboratory-developed test in two public health laboratories. This method greatly reduces or eliminates false identifications which are often detrimental in a clinical setting.

Automated summary

Whole genome sequencing has the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and public health. In order to realize this potential, bioinformatic software that meets diagnostic test quality standards needs to be developed. We developed a software called GAMBIT that uses k-mer based strategies for bacterial identification and incorporates a curated database of 48,224 genomes.