<i>Sustainable Transfer of Biotechnology to Developing Countries</i>

Coloma, Joséfina; Harris, Eva

doi:10.1196/annals.1425.014

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Close collaboration with the Ministry of Health was vital to the success of the project (20). By working within the Ministry of Health and its facilities in a sustainable manner and not setting up a separate study clinic and laboratory, the study not only benefitted participants and study personnel but also improved the public health infrastructure substantially, bringing physical renovations and basic amenities to the study health center and hospital.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nicaraguan Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study: Study Design, Methods, Use of Information Technology, and Extension to Other Infectious Diseases

Kuan¹,

Gordon²,

Avilés³

et al. 2009

American Journal of Epidemiology

126

198

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Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2004, the Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study was established in Managua, Nicaragua, to study the natural history and transmission of dengue in children. Here, the authors describe the study design, methods, and results from 2004 to 2008. Initially, 3,721 children 2–9 years of age were recruited through door-to-door visits. Each year, new children aged 2 years are enrolled in the study to maintain the age structure. Children are provided with medical care through the study, and data from each medical visit are recorded on systematic study forms. All participants presenting with suspected dengue or undifferentiated fever are tested for dengue by virologic, serologic, and molecular biologic assays. Yearly blood samples are collected to detect inapparent dengue virus infections. Numerous information and communications technologies are used to manage study data, track samples, and maintain quality control, including personal data assistants, barcodes, global information systems, and fingerprint scans. Close collaboration with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and use of almost entirely local staff are essential components for success. This study is providing critical data on the epidemiology and transmission of dengue in the Americas needed for future vaccine trials.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nicaraguan Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study: Study Design, Methods, Use of Information Technology, and Extension to Other Infectious Diseases

Kuan¹,

Gordon²,

Avilés³

et al. 2009

American Journal of Epidemiology

126

198

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“…Measurements could be sent via the internet and analyzed in a statistical way by a joint-research facility inside or outside the country and an immediate feedback should be sent in an appropriate manner. Such continuous efforts to share information are important to maintain quality levels over a long distance [19]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality assessment of an interferon-gamma release assay for tuberculosis infection in a resource-limited setting

et al. 2009

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BackgroundWhen a test for diagnosis of infectious diseases is introduced in a resource-limited setting, monitoring quality is a major concern. An optimized design of experiment and statistical models are required for this assessment.MethodsInterferon-gamma release assay to detect tuberculosis (TB) infection from whole blood was tested in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Balanced incomplete block design (BIBD) was planned and fixed-effect models with heterogeneous error variance were used for analysis. In the first trial, the whole blood from 12 donors was incubated with nil, TB-specific antigens or mitogen. In 72 measurements, two laboratory members exchanged their roles in harvesting plasma and testing for interferon-gamma release using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. After intervention including checkup of all steps and standard operation procedures, the second trial was implemented in a similar manner.ResultsThe lack of precision in the first trial was clearly demonstrated. Large within-individual error was significantly affected by both harvester and ELISA operator, indicating that both of the steps had problems. After the intervention, overall within-individual error was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) and error variance was no longer affected by laboratory personnel in charge, indicating that a marked improvement could be objectively observed.ConclusionBIBD and analysis of fixed-effect models with heterogeneous variance are suitable and useful for objective and individualized assessment of proficiency in a multistep diagnostic test for infectious diseases in a resource-constrained laboratory. The action plan based on our findings would be worth considering when monitoring for internal quality control is difficult on site.

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“…SSI’s approach involves community-centred capacity building including training programmes, small grants, material aid and partnerships to provide long-term support. 1 , 2 Laboratory techniques such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, cell culture and flow cytometry have been applied in resource-poor settings by adapting these technologies on-site and strengthening local knowledge of the principles and limitations of each technique. 1 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Infectious disease surveillance and laboratory and clinical management can be improved using low-cost information systems, but these must be based on local human resource capacity, hardware and software availability, and connectivity. 1 , 3 SSI partnered with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health to design information systems to improve data quality, reduce costs and increase decision-support for multiple end-users. In this context, mobile (mHealth) tools and web-based systems for tracking paediatric immunization, prenatal health and community health data have improved access to information at the primary care level.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%