Establishing a national reference laboratory for antimicrobial resistance using a whole-genome sequencing framework: Nigeria's experience. Issue 8 (18th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Okeke, Iruka N.; Aboderin, Aaron O.; Egwuenu, Abiodun; Underwood, Anthony; Afolayan, Ayorinde O.; Kekre, Mihir; Oaikhena, Anderson O.; Odih, Erkison Ewomazino; Omotayo, Hamzat T.; Dada-Adegbola, Hannah; Ogunleye, Veronica O.; Ikhimiukor, Odion O.; Aanensen, David M.; Ihekweazu, Chikwe
• Is Part Of: Microbiology. Volume 168:Issue 8(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08-18
• Subjects: antimicrobial resistance -- antimicrobial resistance surveillance system -- national reference laboratory -- Nigeria -- whole-genome sequencing; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-0872

Abstract

Abstract : Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is finding important applications in the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), providing the most granular data and broadening the scope of niches and locations that can be surveilled. A common but often overlooked application of WGS is to replace or augment reference laboratory services for AMR surveillance. WGS has supplanted traditional strain subtyping in many comprehensive reference laboratories and is now the gold standard for rapidly ruling isolates into or out of suspected outbreak clusters. These and other properties give WGS the potential to serve in AMR reference functioning where a reference laboratory did not hitherto exist. In this perspective, we describe how we have employed a WGS approach, and an academic–public health system collaboration, to provide AMR reference laboratory services in Nigeria, as a model for leapfrogging to national AMR surveillance.