bacteria and virus They are constantly evolving, outpacing our defenses and creating new challenges for public health. A groundbreaking method developed by researchers in cambridge university I promise change the way we do things detect and respond against these new threats.
Infectious diseases remain a major burden worldwide, and pathogens include: Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis) They have evolved to resist treatments and evade vaccines. Traditional monitoring systems often rely on expert panels or manual analysis, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. However, the team he leads is Dr. Noémie Lefranc and Professor Julian Parkhill introduced an innovative automated system that uses genetic sequencing to monitor the evolution of pathogens in real time.
The science behind real-time pathogen tracking
At the heart of this new method is genetic sequencing, which allows researchers to map the evolution of pathogens as they spread through populations. Unlike traditional systems that rely on expert analysis, the team’s algorithm automatically identifies genetic changes andfamily tree“” for pathogens. These trees reveal how fast variants are spreading and highlight variants with worrying properties such as antibiotic resistance or increased transmissibility.
Professor Julian Parkhill explains: “Our method provides a completely objective way to discover new species of disease-causing bugs by analyzing their genetics and spread within populations.”
The main advantages of this approach are:
- speed: Automatic detection is significantly faster than manual methods.
- Scalability: This system can be applied to a wide range of pathogens, from bacteria to viruses.
- Accessibility: The small number of samples required makes it suitable for settings with limited resources.
This innovation is particularly timely as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of rapid variant detection.
Early detection: a game changer in outbreak response
The researchers tested the system with Bordetella pertussisthe bacteria that causes whooping cough. The recent outbreak of the disease is one of the worst in decades and highlights the need for increased surveillance. The algorithm identified three previously undetected variants circulating in the population, demonstrating the potential for discovering hidden threats.
Professor Sylvain Brice of the Pasteur Institute said: “This approach is timely for pertussis given the resurgence of pertussis in many countries and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.”
The team also applied this technology to Mycobacterium tuberculosisuncovered two antibiotic-resistant mutant strains that are currently prevalent. This finding has immediate implications for treatment strategies. Professor Henrik Salger, senior author of the study, explains: “If we see rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant variants, prescribed antibiotics can be adapted to limit their spread.”
By enabling early detection of such variants, this method could help prevent outbreaks and guide more effective public health responses.
A new era of global disease surveillance
The implications of this research extend far beyond individual pathogens. The ability to monitor the evolution of pathogens in real time could revolutionize global disease surveillance, especially in resource-poor settings where infectious diseases cause the most damage.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of variants like Omicron demonstrated how quickly pathogens can evolve and spread. Emphasizing the versatility of the new method, Dr. Lefranc said: “Our new method shows surprisingly quickly whether new transmissible variants of pathogens are circulating and can be applied to a wide range of bacteria and viruses.”
The main benefits for global health are:
- Proactive response: Governments can adjust vaccine development and treatment strategies based on real-time data.
- Fair access: The simplicity of this method allows it to be used in areas with limited medical infrastructure.
- Comprehensive monitoring: It can be integrated into existing monitoring systems to address coverage gaps.
Addressing the global threat of evolving pathogens
The relentless evolution of pathogens poses a constant challenge to public health. Genetic mutations can allow viruses and bacteria to evade vaccines and resist treatments, often causing outbreaks before health systems are prepared.
Professor Salje highlighted the transformative potential of this research, saying: “This initiative has the potential to completely transform the government’s response to infectious diseases.” By incorporating this approach into global health strategies, countries can take proactive steps to contain threats before they spread.
The research team plans to further refine this technology and consider its application to a wider range of pathogens. As Professor Salje pointed out, “This study is an important piece of the larger jigsaw of the public health response to infectious diseases.”
The research will be published in a journal nature.
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