New genomic surveillance technologies could help better detect the development of superbugs, researchers say.
- Antimicrobial resistance is caused by the overuse of antibiotics, metals and disinfectants in medicine and agriculture, as well as widely varying standards of water, sanitation and hygiene.
- The use of genomic sequencing and surveillance during the Covid-19 pandemic has provided insight into the potential of genomic technologies to monitor the development and spread of antimicrobial genes and mutations.
- The authors of the study call on all national leaders to establish genomic surveillance programs covering health sectors, to better control the spread of “superbugs”.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites mutate over time and no longer respond to the drugs and chemicals we use to kill them, making infections more difficult to treat. If left unchecked, drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million people a year worldwide by 2050. estimates the UN.
Monitor the genetic heritage of bacteria
How can we fight against the spread of these “superbugs”? Supporting this study, Australian researchers are now calling for the exploitation of genomic surveillance technology, which consists of monitoring the genetic heritage of pathogens to better understand their behavior, detect their growth and slow their proliferation in the environment. Their work was published in the journal Nature Reviews Genetics.
“Antimicrobial resistance can occur when microorganisms acquire genetic information, either through mutation, recombination or transfer of antibiotic resistance genes,” explained in a communicated Professor Erica Donner, who participated in the study. “Genetic technologies, combined with AI and machine learning, are powerful tools for determining resistance trends. They can identify instances where microbes and their genetic material move between different environments, assessing the impact of intervention strategies.”
Establish genomic surveillance programs
The study authors call on all national leaders to establish genomic surveillance programs covering the human and animal health, agriculture, food and environmental management sectors. “The evolving nature of antimicrobial resistance makes it an ever-evolving threat. There are no easy solutions, but genomic surveillance can help us address this global health challenge”concludes Professor Steven Djordjevic.