Supporting the WHO defeating Meningitis by 2030 Road map: Barriers and opportunities for whole genome sequencing in LMICs

In 2019 there were estimated to be more than 2.5 million new cases of meningitis and over 230,000 deaths globally. It has the potential to escalate in future due to climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and bacterial evolution. In recognition of current burden and future risks, the World Health Organization has approved the Defeating meningitis by 2030 global road map and highlighted the importance of Whole Genome Sequencing and surveillance as essential components for success. This research aims to identify barriers and opportunities WGS data collection and sharing in low- and middle-income countries using a Global Meningitis Genome Partnership developed Value Chain Framework in support of new national plans to implement the global road map between 2023-2026. We will build a detailed understanding of the pathway and dynamics of information flow in six countries across three WHO regions (AFRO, PAHO and EMRO/SEARO). We will develop data standards to facilitate data sharing and increase representativeness of meningitis genome collections and create an overview of which genome data from LMICs is held in which libraries and visualise the results to maximise international learning and collaboration. Finally, we will make research results accessible to participants and communities involved and affected.