7 Using WGS for AMR in your work
You should now have a better understanding of how WGS can be used for AMR surveillance. Before you finish this course, the final activity below will help you to think about your role in introducing the concept of WGS to your peers and stakeholders.
As you consider integrating WGS into your AMR surveillance activities, remember that phenotypic testing remains important for monitoring resistance trends, validating genomic predictions and fulfilling reporting obligations. WGS adds depth and context to the data from these, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of resistance dynamics.
Moving forward, you might want to consult these resources for further learning:
- Online courses and webinars created through the SeqAfrica project [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (DTU National Food Institute, n.d. 2)
- GLASS Whole-genome Sequencing for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (WHO, 2020)
- Global Genomic Surveillance Strategy for Pathogens with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential, 2022–2032 (WHO, 2022)
- Whole Genome Sequencing as a Tool to Strengthen Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Response (WHO, 2023)
- Whole Genome Sequencing for Foodborne Disease Surveillance: Landscape Paper (WHO, 2018)
Activity 9: WGS for AMR surveillance in your work
Think about WGS and its use in AMR surveillance. Then reflect and make notes in response to the following question:
- Based on your work in Activities 4 and 5, do you think you are ready to take the next steps towards introducing WGS into your AMR surveillance system? If so, what would your next steps be?
- Would WGS positively influence your current AMR surveillance work? If so, in what ways?
- How might you make a case for the introduction of WGS in your work?
- Are there any legal or regulatory considerations that should be taken into account when thinking about introducing WGS for AMR surveillance in your context?
- If your laboratory or system currently lacks the infrastructure needed to introduce WGS, are there other ways that you might begin to build up the equipment, supplies, skills, tools and support for using WGS for surveillance?
- Have you thought about outsourcing WGS services? If so, why would this help you address your AMR surveillance needs?
Discussion
Hopefully your reflections here have helped you further consider both the potential benefits and practical considerations involved in introducing WGS into AMR surveillance. Keep refining your case for WGS by aligning it with national priorities and showing how it can enhance the impact of your current surveillance efforts.
6 The economic advantages of WGS for AMR surveillance
