Multi-Pathogen Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness in Nigeria Using TaqMan Array Cards: Implementation Successes and Lessons Learned From the SAFIAN Study

TL;DR

This study implemented a new method to detect multiple pathogens causing febrile illnesses in Nigeria and shares lessons on what worked and what didn't.

Contribution

The study provides practical insights into implementing TaqMan Array Cards for multi-pathogen surveillance in resource-limited settings.

Findings

TaqMan Array Cards were successfully used to test for 25 pathogens in febrile patients.

Operational challenges included procurement delays, sample contamination, and assay underperformance.

Successful implementation required coordination, real-time tracking, and investment in infrastructure.

Abstract

Undiagnosed acute febrile illness (AFI) is a persistent challenge in Nigeria, where the presence of malaria is often presumed in the absence of timely and accurate diagnostic confirmation. To expand diagnostic capacity and identify a broader spectrum of AFI etiologies, the Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness Aetiology in Nigeria (SAFIAN) study implemented the TaqMan Array Card (TAC) platform to test for 25 pathogens among febrile patients at 2 tertiary hospitals. This article summarizes operational lessons from the introduction of TACs along with key implementation components, including platform selection, procurement and shipment of specialized equipment, laboratory preparation, staff training, and quality control oversight. We also highlight several constraints, including procurement delays, sample contamination, assay underperformance, and procedural inefficiencies. Findings from the SAFIAN study reveal that successful integration of TACs requires strong site-level coordination, real-time data and supply tracking, cross-team collaboration, and sustained investment in infrastructure and workforce capacity to improve detection and response efforts in high-burden environments.

We implemented TaqMan Array Cards for multipathogen detection of acute febrile illnesses, summarizing key lessons learned. Challenges involved delays, contamination, and inefficiencies. Successful study implementation required coordination, real-time tracking, collaboration, and sustained investment in infrastructure and workforce.

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