12.11.2024
Ministry of Health Showcases Eswatini's Leadership in Genome-Based Diagnostics for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis at the Sub-Saharan SeqNet Annual Meeting
In a major advancement for tuberculosis (TB) control and antimicrobial resistance, Eswatini’s Ministry of Health highlighted its pioneering work in introducing genome-based diagnostics for drug-resistant TB at the annual Sub-Saharan SeqNet project meeting. This high-level event convened nearly a hundred participants, including distinguished health experts, policy-makers, and global partners from Germany, Italy, the USA, Namibia, and Mozambique, to review progress and strategies in addressing one of Eswatini’s most pressing health challenges.
Eswatini’s TB crisis is exacerbated by a drug-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis carrying the rpoB I491F mutation—an elusive mutation undetectable by many commercial TB diagnostic tests. Thanks to recent advances in bacterial sequencing, Eswatini is now able to accurately identify this mutation and other drug resistances, allowing for prompt and effective patient care that reduces transmission risks.
The Sub-Saharan SeqNet Project which facilitated this advancement is under the umbrella of the Global Health Protection Program (GHPP), funded by the German Ministry of Health. Established in 2016 as part of the G7’s commitment to strengthening global public health systems, the GHPP enhances global health security and disease prevention. Since 2019, the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center (RCB), has been one of seven specialized German institutes participating in the GHPP, conducting projects worldwide to reinforce public health infrastructure.
National TB laboratories in Eswatini, Mozambique, and Namibia have partnered with the RCB and collaborators from the Ospedale San Rafaelle, Italy and Baylor College of Medicine in the United States of America, to establish Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology across these African nations. This partnership not only strengthens local capacity through bioinformatics and laboratory training, but also helps develop diagnostic guidelines and workflows to ensure effective TB management. Genome-based diagnostics for resistant TB have been successfully implemented at the Instituto Nacional de Saúde in Maputo, Mozambique, the University of Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia, and the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory in Mbabane, Eswatini. Technicians/Technologists and bioinformaticians at each site are now equipped to independently perform the entire NGS process, from specimen preparation to data analysis, delivering a comprehensive resistance profile for each patient, allowing for tailored treatment options.
Representing the German Embassy in Pretoria, Dr. Anna Montén-Küchel commended Germany's commitment to Global Health, describing the Sub-Saharan SeqNet Project as a flagship example of international collaboration. “This project exemplifies how cooperation among experts across borders can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare and improve health outcomes”, Dr. Montén-Küchel said (Photo).
Minister of Health Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula (Photo) emphasised the significance of the project, stating, “This initiative marks a transformative step in our fight against tuberculosis in Eswatini. The ability to quickly detect drug-resistant strains enables us to respond more effectively and improve the quality of care for our people.”
At the end of the morning session, professor Stefan Niemann (Photo), German coordinator of the Sub-Saharan SeqNet, praised the successes achieved to date, expressing optimism that “NGS-based diagnostics will not only bolster TB management but also aid in responding to emerging global health threats, as seen with SARS-CoV-2.”
The meeting featured a comprehensive program that included presentations from local collaborators, addresses by authorities, a keynote lecture, and project updates. Participants engaged in discussions focused on implementation, sustainability, future goals, and the continued impact of the Sub-Saharan SeqNet project.
The closing remarks emphasized a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration and investment in advanced diagnostics to combat TB and other infectious diseases, reinforcing the foundation for a resilient global health system. The event concluded with a dinner honouring the contributions of all collaborators, providing a valuable opportunity for networking and team building.
Photo collage - Participant Badges, Newly Installed Sequencer, and Meeting Room the Sub-Saharan SeqNet Consortium Meeting (Hilton, Mbabane)