Genome sequencing of disease and carriage isolates of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Haemophilus influenzae

We sequenced a collection of carriage and disease isolates of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, a component of the microbial flora of the upper respiratory tract that can cause a spectrum of diseases, including otitis media and meningitis. We identified distinct evolutionary clades that correlate with the presence of selected surface associated proteins and virulence determinants. The high resolution definition of the population structure of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae allowed by whole-genome sequencing will be key for the development of efficacious containment strategies for this important human pathogen.