{
  "abstract": "Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is increasingly being used to enhance tuberculosis (TB) surveillance and management. However, evidence on how WGS shapes real-world decision-making remains limited. This study explored the utility of WGS in the context of a TB outbreak in Victoria, Australia. We conducted a case study to (1) describe a TB outbreak in Victoria using epidemiological and genomic data and (2) explore the perceived benefits and limitations of WGS through qualitative interviews with laboratory and public health professionals involved in the investigation. The interviews were analysed thematically. From 2017 – 2023, 36 people were linked to a large lineage 4 TB outbreak comprising 3 sub-clusters. WGS connected two patients who were initially not epidemiologically linked to the outbreak, prompting additional contact screening at a medical clinic. From interviews with 10 laboratory and public health professionals, WGS was considered a useful tool, although there was a gap between its potential and realised utility. WGS strengthened confidence in suspected transmission links, which was particularly valuable when epidemiological evidence was sparce or uncertain. This was relevant in this investigation where TB stigma, a prolonged timeframe, and cross-jurisdictional transmission were challenges. Barriers to public health action from WGS included long turnaround times, difficulties drawing conclusions from identical isolates, and uncertainties around public health follow-up actions. This case study demonstrates that WGS can inform meaningful public health action, while also identifying opportunities to improve its utility. WGS for public health should involve real-time sequencing along with steps to support the translation of findings into actions such as action-focused WGS training, mechanisms to support consistent follow-up, and improved record-keeping systems.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia",
    "Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia",
    "Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia",
    "Victorian Tuberculosis Program, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia",
    "Department of Infectious Diseases at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia",
    "Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia",
    "Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia",
    "Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology – Public Health, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia",
    "Communicable Diseases Branch, Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Daisy Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Angeline Ferdinand"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Justin T. Denholm"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Katie Dale"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Simone Bittmann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Maria Globan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Ben J. Marais"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Vitali Sintchenko"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Christopher Coulter"
    },
    {
      "name": "Martyn D. Kirk"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5e6nkpgqab5mk.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0007016",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007016",
  "id": "5e6nkpgqab5mk",
  "issns": [
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  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Genetics/Genomics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Bacteria/Actinobacteria/Mycobacterium tuberculosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health care providers/Physicians"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Bacterial diseases/Tuberculosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Tropical diseases/Tuberculosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pharmaceutics/Drug therapy"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/Oceania/Australia"
    ],
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      "/People and places/Population groupings/Professions/Medical personnel/Physicians"
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  "openalex": "W7212177848",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007016&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-10",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5e6nkpgqab5mk.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0007016",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007016"
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  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:genomics",
      "subfield": "genetics-genomics"
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    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:infectious diseases",
      "subfield": "infectious-disease"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The public health utility of whole genome sequencing: Insights from a tuberculosis outbreak in Australia and perspectives of public health professionals",
  "title_text": "The public health utility of whole genome sequencing: Insights from a tuberculosis outbreak in Australia and perspectives of public health professionals",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5e6nkpgqab5mk",
  "venue": "PLOS Global Public Health",
  "versions": []
}