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Infectious diseases genomic surveillance capacity in the Caribbean: A retrospective analysis of SARS-CoV-2.
Lucien, Mentor Ali Ber; Forde, Martin S; Isabel, Marc R; Boissinot, Maurice; Isabel, Sandra.
  • Lucien MAB; Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  • Forde MS; Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St. George's University, St. George, Grenada, West Indies.
  • Isabel MR; Independent Scientist, Matane, Québec, Canada.
  • Boissinot M; Centre de recherche en infectiologie de l'Université Laval, Axe Maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.
  • Isabel S; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lancet Reg Health Am ; 18: 100411, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2159508
ABSTRACT

Background:

The ongoing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with its numerous variants of concern has shown the need to have a robust and complete global infectious diseases genomic surveillance network worldwide. Various clinical and research institutions have stepped up to perform SARS-CoV-2 sequencing thus enhancing the understanding of this virus' global evolution. However, given that genomic sequencing capacities and capabilities are not available in every region or country, significant gaps exist, which lead to geographic blind spots. One such region is the Caribbean. This paper measures the Caribbean region's SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing capacity and highlights the need to improve further regional genomics surveillance capacities and capabilities, which are essential for efficient health interventions for infectious diseases.

Methods:

A map showing SARS-CoV-2 sequences available for each Caribbean Island was constructed using SARS-CoV-2 genomic, epidemiological and populational data obtained from GISAID, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Bank. The number of reported SARS-CoV-2 cases and the proportion of cases sequenced in each Caribbean Island was then analysed by the Gross Domestic Product per capita and political status.

Findings:

As of August 6, 2022, the number of SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the Caribbean are underrepresented with only 40,190 (1.07%) of the over 3.76 million documented cases sequenced, which is further exacerbated by a disparity based not only on the country's income but also on its political status (sovereign country versus dependent or integrated) and accessibility to sequencing technologies. There are a limited number of sequencing centres based in the Caribbean islands with the majority located on the American and European continents. Using mobile sequencing technologies while concomitantly investing in data analysis training could lead to greater and more sustainable coverage.

Interpretation:

Considering the Caribbean region's dispersed heterogeneous populations, varying political regimes, and resource-constrained healthcare systems, further development of local next-generation sequencing capacity and capabilities in the Caribbean region is needed to achieve global public health goals.

Funding:

No funding source was required for this study.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Language: English Journal: Lancet Reg Health Am Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.lana.2022.100411

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Language: English Journal: Lancet Reg Health Am Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.lana.2022.100411