Using whole genome sequencing, a new Lancet Microbe study sheds light on syphilis transmission dynamics in England. The research identifies distinct transmission clusters, revealing the effectiveness of genomic data in tracking and intervening in syphilis outbreaks.
Until quite recently, it was extremely difficult to detect the variants underlying many genetic disorders. In the absence of a defined cause, clinicians have little to guide treatment for those left without a genetic diagnosis, forcing patients and families to embark on a diagnostic odyssey with no guarantee of finding answers.