Wastewater metagenomics in Africa
Opportunities and challenges
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19593134 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephen Kanyerezi (0000-0002-2439-939X, Ministry of Health, corresponding author), Fatma Z Guerfali (0000-0002-6973-2870, Tunis University, corresponding author), Abbas Abel Anzaku (Nasarawa State University, corresponding author), Oluwasegun Adesina Babaleye (0000-0002-6535-7612, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, corresponding author), Tracey Calvert-Joshua (0000-0002-6028-7811, University of the Western Cape, corresponding author), Julien A Nguinkal (0000-0002-1303-4520, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Oluwaseun Paul AMOO (0000-0001-7051-3854, National Root Crops Research Institute, corresponding author), Chiraz Atri (0000-0002-0930-5762, Tunis University, corresponding author), Waqasuddin Khan (0000-0001-7995-8163, Aga Khan University, corresponding author), Iqra Saleh (Aga Khan University, corresponding author), Muhammad Imran Nisar (0000-0002-2378-4720, Aga Khan University, corresponding author), Arthur Shem Kasambula (Ministry of Health, corresponding author), Koketso Morapedi (0000-0001-5439-7080, corresponding author), Gerald Mboowa (0000-0001-8445-9414, African Union Commission, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Wilber Sabiiti (0000-0002-4742-2791) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | e0004044 |
| Publication date | 2024-12-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004044 |
| PMID | 39705278 |
| OpenAlex | W4405634988 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
The advent of metagenomics has dramatically expanded our understanding of microbial communities, particularly through the study of wastewater, which serves as a rich source of microbial data. In Africa, wastewater metagenomics presents unparalleled opportunities for public health monitoring, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) tracking, and the discovery of new microbial species and functions. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, this method allows for direct analysis of nucleic acids from wastewater samples, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive approach for pathogen surveillance. The potential of wastewater metagenomics in Africa is vast. It can revolutionize public health monitoring by acting as an early warning system for infectious disease outbreaks, offering near real-time data to shape effective responses. This is especially critical in densely populated urban areas with poor sanitation, where the risk of disease spread is high. Moreover, this approach enables the detection of emerging pathogens and insights into environmental health. However, the implementation of wastewater metagenomics in Africa faces several challenges. These include variability in wastewater composition due to differing local customs, limited infrastructure for sequencing and data analysis, and a shortage of bioinformatics expertise. Socio-political and ethical issues also complicate data sharing and the equitable distribution of benefits. To overcome these challenges, there is a need to enhance capacity through collaborative training, infrastructural development, and international partnerships. Investing and sustaining local genomics and bioinformatics infrastructure and expertise is crucial. Moreover, establishing robust data governance frameworks and engaging communities are essential for leveraging metagenomics to advance scientific knowledge and deliver tangible health and economic benefits. With strategic planning and collaboration, Africa can harness the transformative potential of wastewater metagenomics to improve disease surveillance, combat AMR, and foster scientific innovation, contributing significantly to sustainable development and improved quality of life
Biology · Business · Environmental planning · Geography · Metagenomics · Sanitation · Wastewater · Biosensors and Analytical Detection · Engineering · Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies · SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing · Biotechnology
| Highly cited | No |
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