AUTHOR=Tigistu-Sahle Feven , Mekuria Zelalem H. , Satoskar Abhay R. , Sales Gustavo F. C. , Gebreyes Wondwossen A. , Oliveira Celso J. B. 

TITLE=Challenges and opportunities of molecular epidemiology: using omics to address complex One Health issues in tropical settings

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Tropical Diseases

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/tropical-diseases/articles/10.3389/fitd.2023.1151336

DOI=10.3389/fitd.2023.1151336

ISSN=2673-7515

ABSTRACT=The molecular biology tools available since the early 1970s were crucial for the development of molecular epidemiology as an important public health branch applied to the identification of host genetic and environmental factors associated with both communicable (CDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across human and animal populations. Molecular epidemiology has significantly contributed to the understanding of etiological agents, distribution, tracking outbreaks as well as prevention and control measures against tropical infectious diseases. However, there have been significant limitations compromising the successful application of molecular epidemiology in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC) addressing complex issues at the animal-human-environment interface. Recent advances in our capacity to generate information by means of high throughput DNA genomic sequencing, transcriptomics, and metabolomics allowed these tools to be accessible at ever lower costs. Furthermore, recently emerged -Omics fields such as lipidomics are improving our insights into molecular epidemiology by measuring lipid phenotypes that gauge environmental and genetic factors in large epidemiological studies. In parallel, the development of bioinformatic tools revolutionized the utility of -Omics providing novel perspectives to better characterize pools of biological molecules translating into the structure, function, and dynamics of organisms. Unfortunately, the use of such powerful tools has not been optimal in the One Health dynamics both in CDs as well as NCD aspects, particularly in low-resource tropical settings. The aim of this review is to present the -Omics tools fundamentals and their potential use in molecular epidemiology, as well as critically discuss the impact of the -Omics on the evolving One Health dimension applied to tropical diseases. We use Ethiopia and Brazil as model systems to illustrate existing gaps and opportunities while also addressing global applications. Moreover, we also discuss perspectives of exploring Omics-based molecular epidemiology in the scope of the One Health as a crucial approach towards preventing and mitigating the burden of CDs and NCDs at the interface of human health, animal health and the environment. This review shows building capacity in the tropical regions is crucial to establish equitable global health.