Leapfrog diagnostics: Demonstration of a broad spectrum pathogen identification platform in a resource-limited setting
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Leapfrog diagnostics: Demonstration of a broad spectrum pathogen identification platform in a resource-limited setting Tomasz A Leski1*†, Rashid Ansumana2,3,4†, Anthony P Malanoski1, David H Jimmy2,5, Umaru Bangura2, Brian R Barrows6, Morie Alpha2, Bashiru M Koroma2,4, Nina C Long7, Abu J Sundufu2,8, Alfred S Bockarie2,4, Baochuan Lin1 and David A Stenger1
Abstract Background: Resource-limited tropical countries are home to numerous infectious pathogens of both human and zoonotic origin. A capability for early detection to allow rapid outbreak containment and prevent spread to nonendemic regions is severely impaired by inadequate diagnostic laboratory capacity, the absence of a “cold chain” and the lack of highly trained personnel. Building up detection capacity in these countries by direct replication of the systems existing in developed countries is not a feasible approach and instead requires “leapfrogging” to the deployment of the newest diagnostic systems that do not have the infrastructure requirements of systems used in developed countries. Methods: A laboratory for molecular diagnostics of infectious agents was established in Bo, Sierra Leone with a hybrid solar/diesel/battery system to ensure stable power supply and a satellite modem to enable efficient communication. An array of room temperature stabilization and refrigeration technologies for reliable transport and storage of reagents and biological samples were also tested to ensure sustainable laboratory supplies for diagnostic assays. Results: The laboratory demonstrated its operational proficiency by conducting an investigation of a suspected avian influenza outbreak at a commercial poultry farm at Bo using broad range resequencing microarrays and real time RT-PCR. The results of the investigation excluded influenza viruses as a possible cause of the outbreak and indicated a link between the outbreak and the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that by application of a carefully selected set of technologies and sufficient personnel training, it is feasible to deploy and effectively use a broad-range infectious pathogen detection technology in a severely resource-limited setting.
Background Developing countries in tropical regions of the world are the home for numerous important infectious pathogens [1-3]. Many of these infectious agents may have their reservoirs in domesticated or wild animals [4-8]. Since inhabitants of these countries live in relatively closer contact with animals, than populations of highly * Correspondence: [email protected] † Equal contributors 1 Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375, USA Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
developed countries, the chance of transmission of zoonotic infections to humans is much greater [9]. Some of these pathogens not only have severe impact on public health in countries where they are endemic, but may also be rapidly disseminated to n
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