Genomic Disease Surveillance 2006 -2024: Current Trends as Revealed by a Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background: Genomic disease surveillance has become an essential and transformative tool in public health. It enhances our ability to detect, monitor, and control infectious diseases by providing real-time genetic information about pathogens. This advanced approach allows for more accurate identification of disease outbreaks, tracking the spread of infections, and understanding the evolution of pathogens over time. Global genomic surveillance faces challenges with a lack of standardized data protocols and insufficient funding. Addressing privacy and ethical concerns about genetic data is crucial for building stakeholder trust and cooperation. Overcoming these obstacles is vital for maximizing the benefits of genomic surveillance in global public health protection.
Aim: This study aimed to identify key research trends and authors in genomic disease surveillance.
Methods: This study employed bibliometric analysis using data from the Scopus database, which was analyzed quantitatively with the biblioshiny software for bibliometric analysis. The R package offers functions for analyzing yearly outputs, country outputs, citations, collaboration networking, and publication trends.
Results: Two thousand and sixty-two (2062) articles were retrieved from the Scopus database. The United States leads with a total of four hundred and three (403) publications. Giovanetti M. was the lead author with twenty (20) publications. The field of Medicine had the highest number of articles (867 publications). Notably, there was a significant increase in research output between the years 2017 and 2023, with the highest number of publications (202) in the latter. The top-ranked article, written by Quick J, has garnered an impressive 998 citations.
Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on genomic disease surveillance from 2006 to 2024 identified significant research trends, thematic hotspots, and patterns of international collaboration. The study observed a notable increase in research output from developed countries such as the United States United Kingdom, China, Australia, and Brazil, with less output from developing countries. These findings highlight the critical role of genomic surveillance in the detection, monitoring, and response to infectious diseases, particularly in the context of future pandemics.