International Research in Congo

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

We have set-up long-term surveillance sites of African bat species in the Republic of the Congo. In addition, we have developed and implemented serological and molecular pathogen detection assays both at the US based laboratory as the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and the FCRM in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. specifically, We developed and validated a PCR-based sequencing assay that targets a 12.5 kilobase (kb) region that is phylogenetically representative of the whole ∼ 200 kb MPXV genome. We combined this sequencing assay with a lightweight, downloadable, on-and-off-grid-bioinformatics pipeline for rapid phylogenetic analysis. Our findings demonstrate that this simplified sequencing method, and the associated bioinformatics pipeline accurately distinguished clades, subclades, and clusters of MPXV. This assay is currently used to provide rapid sequence information for understanding transmission patterns and sources of outbreaks in resource-limited settings. In addition, this assay provides a unique opportunity to decentralize mpox molecular surveillance capacities that are needed to contain the ongoing outbreak. Staff at the NPHL received training and equipment to implement these tools.