? Project 2 Approximately two-thirds of suspected VHF patients referred to our VHF Wards in Sierra Leone and Nigeria test negative for either Lassa virus (LASV) or Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. In our clinical practices we consider these patients to have a fever of unknown origin (FUO). ?Next generation genomics analyses will be used in Project 1 to define the range of microbial pathogens inducing febrile illnesses in patients presenting to three established VHF clinical sites across West Africa. Project 2 will extend these studies by transferring technical expertise for designing and validating field deployable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based nucleic acid assays and recombinant antigen based immunoassays. In Milestone 1 we will transfer technology and provide training for the development and validation of field deployable quantitative PCR tests for known and novel pathogens to enhance clinical care. Transfer of technology and training for the development and validation of field deployable immunoassays for known and novel pathogens to allow for rapid diagnosis across many sites will be provided in Milestone 2. In Milestone 3 we will perform sample collection, surveillance and investigation of the epidemiology of known and novel pathogens in Senegal, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. The availability of these diagnostic assays will improve clinical care, and enable enhanced surveillance and investigation of the epidemiology of known and novel viruses, as well as other microbial pathogens contributing to the infectious disease burden in West Africa. 1

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Specialized Center--Cooperative Agreements (U54)
Project #
5U54HG007480-06
Application #
9571118
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHG1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2018-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Redeemer's University
Department
Type
DUNS #
850517746
City
Redemption City
State
Country
Nigeria
Zip Code
20001
Siddle, Katherine J; Eromon, Philomena; Barnes, Kayla G et al. (2018) Genomic Analysis of Lassa Virus during an Increase in Cases in Nigeria in 2018. N Engl J Med 379:1745-1753