Threat, challenges, and preparedness for future pandemics: A descriptive review of phylogenetic analysis based predictions

For centuries the world has been confronted with many infectious diseases, with a potential to turn into a pandemic posing a constant threat to human lives. Some of these pandemics occurred due to the emergence of new disease or re-emergence of previously known diseases with a few mutations. In such scenarios their optimal prevention and control options were not adequately developed. Most of these diseases are highly contagious and for their timely control, knowledge about the pathogens and disease progression is the basic necessity. In this review, we have presented a documented chronology of the earlier pandemics, evolutionary analysis of the infectious disease with pandemic potential, the role of RNA, difficulties in controlling pandemics, and the likely pathogens that could trigger future pandemics. In this study, the evolutionary history of the pathogens was identified by carrying out phylogenetic analysis. The percentage similarity between different infectious diseases is critically analysed for the identification of their correlation using online sequence matcher tools. The Baltimore classification system was used for finding the genomic nature of the viruses. It was observed that most of the infectious pathogens rise from their animal hosts with some mutations in their genome composition. The phylogenetic tree shows that the single-stranded RNA diseases have a common origin and many of them are having high similarity percentage. The outcomes of this study will help in the identification of potential pathogens that can cause future pandemics. This information will be helpful in the development of early detection techniques, devising preventive mechanism to limit their spread, prophylactic measures, Infection control and therapeutic options, thereby, strengthening our approach towards global preparedness against future pandemics.

Automated summary

For centuries, the world has faced numerous infectious diseases, some of which have the potential to become pandemics and pose a constant threat to human lives. Understanding the pathogens and the progression of these diseases is crucial for their timely control. This study provides a chronology of past pandemics, an evolutionary analysis of infectious diseases with pandemic potential, and identifies likely pathogens that could trigger future pandemics. By studying the evolutionary history and similarity between different infectious diseases, this research aims to aid in the development of early detection techniques, preventive measures, infection control, and therapeutic options to strengthen global preparedness against future pandemics.