Multi-Echelon Diagnostics (MEDx): Platform Performance in an Austere Environment, Bo, Sierra Leone
Abstract
Early detection and identification of pathogens (e.g., influenza, malaria, or hemorrhagic fever viruses) is essential for the protection of civilian populations and US forces. In January 2018, the Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Mercy Hospital began a collaborative effort to test custom Multi-Echelon Diagnostic (MEDx) platforms under austere conditions of use. The goal was to provide situational awareness of disease prevalence in West Africa while also determining the performance characteristics of the MEDx tests. Urine and blood samples collected from 535 human volunteers were subjected to up to 10 different tests for malaria, chikungunya, dengue, and melioidosis. Based on both molecular and immunological tests, the overall prevalence of dengue and melioidosis were low. Antibody-based tests indicated that approximately 25% of participants had malaria, while PCR indicated a much higher prevalence (approximately 50%). Results observed with custom MEDx tests demonstrate that additional improvements are required to attain similar sensitivities and specificities of commercially available platforms. In addition to generating valuable performance data on a sponsor-provided diagnostic platform, the current study also provided timely epidemiological data from febrile individuals. The latter information can improve situational awareness and mitigate the potential for unexpected outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 05, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1109439
Entities
People
- Chadwick Yasuda
- Chris R. Taitt
- David A. Stenger
- Joseph Lahai
- Joseph Lamin
- Nathanael Reynolds
- Rashid Ansumana
- Tomasz Leski
- Umaru Bangura
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory