摘要
In March 2020, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 were reported in Accra, Ghana. These initial cases were diagnosed at the Advanced Research Laboratories (ARL) of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana. The ARL which hitherto was used for routine clinical research in viral, bacteria and immunological studies has since been the facility of choice for testing for all suspected cases of COVID-19 submitted from across Ghana and beyond. The success of testing at the ARL hinged on the availability of several laboratory spaces furnished with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and working aids. During the “peak season” where overwhelming numbers of clinical specimens were received, the ARL processed and got results for close to four thousand samples daily. After general disinfection and re-bagging into smaller numbers, at the entrance of the ARL, the samples are taken to a central receiving laboratory, where they are received and entered in a database with accompanying case investigation forms. All samples that are successfully sorted and matched are sent to general laboratories for nucleic acid extraction and then referred to the Instrumentation laboratory for real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). When the RT-PCRs were completed, results were analysed and transmitted via email and/or local network to the data reporting office. The data managers then reported results to the investigators and the Ghana Health Service (GHS). Additionally, the ARL provided a next-generation Genome Sequencing platform in partnership with the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens at the University of Ghana, which was essential in reporting the genome data of the circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana. Conclusively, it is worth noting, that the NMIMR fulfilled its mandate of supporting the country with specialized diagnostics through the judicious use of the ARL for SARS-CoV-2 testing, from sample receipt to data reporting. The ARL facility and the research faculty have trained and continue to train budding laboratories on biosafety, biosecurity, best practices and testing protocols. It is obvious that the success story of SARS-CoV-2 testing in Ghana, cannot be complete without the mention of the ARL at NMIMR.
In March 2020, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 were reported in Accra, Ghana. These initial cases were diagnosed at the Advanced Research Laboratories (ARL) of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana. The ARL which hitherto was used for routine clinical research in viral, bacteria and immunological studies has since been the facility of choice for testing for all suspected cases of COVID-19 submitted from across Ghana and beyond. The success of testing at the ARL hinged on the availability of several laboratory spaces furnished with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and working aids. During the “peak season” where overwhelming numbers of clinical specimens were received, the ARL processed and got results for close to four thousand samples daily. After general disinfection and re-bagging into smaller numbers, at the entrance of the ARL, the samples are taken to a central receiving laboratory, where they are received and entered in a database with accompanying case investigation forms. All samples that are successfully sorted and matched are sent to general laboratories for nucleic acid extraction and then referred to the Instrumentation laboratory for real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). When the RT-PCRs were completed, results were analysed and transmitted via email and/or local network to the data reporting office. The data managers then reported results to the investigators and the Ghana Health Service (GHS). Additionally, the ARL provided a next-generation Genome Sequencing platform in partnership with the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens at the University of Ghana, which was essential in reporting the genome data of the circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana. Conclusively, it is worth noting, that the NMIMR fulfilled its mandate of supporting the country with specialized diagnostics through the judicious use of the ARL for SARS-CoV-2 testing, from sample receipt to data reporting. The ARL facility and the research faculty have trained and continue to train budding laboratories on biosafety, biosecurity, best practices and testing protocols. It is obvious that the success story of SARS-CoV-2 testing in Ghana, cannot be complete without the mention of the ARL at NMIMR.
作者
Darius N. K. Quansah
Ivy A. Asante
Evelyn Y. Bonney
Evangeline Obodai
Mildred A. Adusei-Poku
James Aboagye
Susan Adu-Amankwah
Samuel Adjei
Richard Akuffo
Helena Lamptey
George B. Kyei
John K. Odoom
William K. Ampofo
Joseph H. K. Bonney
Darius N. K. Quansah;Ivy A. Asante;Evelyn Y. Bonney;Evangeline Obodai;Mildred A. Adusei-Poku;James Aboagye;Susan Adu-Amankwah;Samuel Adjei;Richard Akuffo;Helena Lamptey;George B. Kyei;John K. Odoom;William K. Ampofo;Joseph H. K. Bonney(Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana;West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana;Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana;Medical and Scientific Research Directorate, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra, Ghana;Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana;Department of Animal Experimentation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana;Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana)
