Multi-Pathogen Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness in Nigeria Using TaqMan Array Cards: Implementation Successes and Lessons Learned From the SAFIAN Study
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.
Authors
- Ikponmwosa Odia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9393-9898)
- Jay Osi Samuels (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8933-1006)
- Emmanuel Oga
- Oladimeji Damilare Matthew (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9442-4709)
- Claire Quiner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4419-1542)
- Cyril Erameh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7783-2495)
- Femi Owolagba
- Kat Asman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6728-4990)
- Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5407-1152)
- Philippe Chebu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7492-670X)
- Osahogie Isaac Edeawe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7424-8832)
- Lauren Courtney (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8943-4934)
- Vivian Kwaghe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1962-4641)
- Jean Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2207-6263)
- Adamu Zigwai Ephraim
- Jacqueline Agbukor
- Walter Mary Odion (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7599-5491)
- Victoria Orok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9960-8096)
- Blessing Amierhobhiye Obagho
- Onyia Justus Ejike (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9854-5853)
- Nankpah Godsave Vongdip
- Blessed Okhiria
- Richard Fayomade
- Julius Oshiobugie Imoyera
Institutions
- RTI International (US)
- Partners In Care (US)
- AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (NG)
- Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (NG)
- University of Abuja (NG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf514
- Primary Topic
- Malaria Research and Control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- RTI International