Understanding the potential role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in managing patients with gonorrhoea: A systematic review of WGS use on human pathogens in individual patient care
Journal of Infection·
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106168
- PMID
- 38670270
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W4395085281
- Study type
- Systematic review
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The review suggests that whole genome sequencing may offer insights into pathogen transmission within sexual networks, enabling more targeted patient management for sexually transmitted infections. However, evidence remains limited to a small number of studies with few participants.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The review examined how whole genome sequencing has been applied in real or near real-time to inform clinical intervention for human pathogens, with a focus on insights that may be transferable to gonorrhoea patient management.
Study design
This was a systematic review searching six databases for articles published between January 2010 and February 2023. Studies of any type and setting were eligible if they reported real or near real-time pathogen whole genome sequencing used to inform clinical intervention.
Population and setting
The review identified eight studies that applied whole genome sequencing to tuberculosis (seven studies) and gonorrhoea (one study) for clinical patient management. These studies contained few participants.
Main findings
Whole genome sequencing was used alongside clinical and epidemiological data to support contact-tracing in two studies, guide antimicrobial therapy in five studies, and detect cross-contamination in one study. In gonorrhoea, sequencing revealed transmission chains not identified through partner notification.
Public-health relevance
The review suggests that whole genome sequencing may offer insights into pathogen transmission within sexual networks, enabling more targeted patient management for sexually transmitted infections. However, evidence remains limited to a small number of studies with few participants.
Important limitations
The review authors noted that only eight studies were identified and these contained few participants. This summary relies on the supplied single-article abstract and metadata; interpretation for decision-grade use requires access to the original paper.
GIDS interpretation
This systematic review was indexed under genomic epidemiology, outbreak investigation, transmission dynamics, antimicrobial resistance, and treatment topics, with disease links to tuberculosis and gonorrhoea. The article provides context on how whole genome sequencing has been used to inform individual patient care across pathogens, which may inform future sexually transmitted infection surveillance or intervention design.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 11 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.