"Encyclopaedia Cloacae"-Mapping Wastewaters from Pathogen A to Z

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Public health surveillance
• Digital epidemiology

Background:

• Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is crucial for public health surveillance.
• A centralized, curated database of pathogens in wastewater is needed.
• Existing WBE data is fragmented, hindering comprehensive analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Encyclopaedia Cloacae, a novel digital platform for WBE.
• To support and advance public health surveillance through cataloguing wastewater pathogens.
• To provide actionable insights for infectious disease detection and pandemic preparedness.

Main Methods:

• Developed a centralized digital platform hosted on the EU Wastewater Observatory for Public Health (EU4S).
• Established a structured workflow with harmonized criteria for data curation (pathogen presence in excreta, wastewater detectability, public health integration).
• Integrated the Visualising the Invisible dashboard for geospatial insights into WBE research.

Main Results:

• The Encyclopaedia Cloacae consolidates peer-reviewed evidence on pathogen detectability in wastewater.
• The platform enables early detection of known and emerging infectious diseases.
• Geospatial dashboards identify surveillance gaps and research hotspots.

Conclusions:

• The Encyclopaedia Cloacae enhances timely public health responses and pandemic preparedness.
• The platform supports One Health strategies by linking human, animal, and environmental health.
• Future directions include automation and expansion to include antimicrobial resistance and chemical hazards.