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Quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) methodology aims to estimate and describe the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from animals and food to humans. In microbiological literature, the availability of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data is rapidly increasing, and incorporating this data into QMRA has the potential to enhance the reliability of risk estimates. This study provides insight into which are the key pathogen properties for incorporating WGS data to enhance risk estimation, through examination of example risk assessments for important foodborne pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli. By investigating the relationship between phenotypic pathogen properties and genetic traits, a better understanding was gained regarding their impact on risk assessment. Virulence of Lm was identified as a promising property for associating different symptoms observed in humans with specific genotypes. Data from a genome‐wide association study were used to correlate lineages, serotypes, sequence types, clonal complexes and the presence or absence of virulence genes of each strain with patient's symptoms. We also investigated the effect of incorporating WGS data into a QMRA model including relevant genomic traits of Lm, focusing on the dose–response phase of the risk assessment model, as described with the case/exposure ratio. The results highlighted that WGS studies which include phenotypic information must be encouraged, so as to enhance the accuracy of QMRA models. This study also underscores the importance of executing more risk assessments that consider the ongoing advancements in OMICS technologies, thus allowing for a closer investigation of different bacterial subtypes relevant to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHaemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe complication of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Although the reservoirs of STEC are known, the source of the infection of sporadic cases is often unknown. In 2023, we observed several cases of bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection in children and adolescents returning from vacations.AimWe aimed to explore the association between travel and bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection in children and adolescents.MethodsWe included all children and adolescents with bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection identified in 2023 by the ItalKid-HUS Network surveillance system in northern Italy. We interviewed children's families and sent a questionnaire on recent travels abroad. The exposure time was between 3 days after arrival abroad and 5 days after return home. A self-controlled case series (SCCS) design was used in the analysis.ResultsOf the 43 cases, 11 developed HUS. Twenty-three cases did not travel abroad, while 20 had travelled to several destinations. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with travel to Egypt was 88.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.0-462). Serotype analysis excluded the possibility of a single strain causing the infections. We did not find the source of the infections.ConclusionThere is an elevated risk of acquiring STEC infection with bloody diarrhoea and HUS associated with travel to Egypt. Specific investigations to identify the source are needed to implement effective preventive measures.