Establishing an enteric bacteria reference laboratory in Sierra Leone

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Sierra Leone faced its most severe cholera outbreak in over 15 years in 2012, impacting 12 of 13 districts.
• Limited diagnostic capabilities, especially bacterial culture, initially required external testing for cholera confirmation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish diagnostic and reference services within Sierra Leone.
• To investigate and monitor the ongoing cholera outbreak.
• To build local capacity for identifying Vibrio cholerae and other enteric pathogens.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of diagnostic and reference services at the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory.
• Focus on the isolation and identification of Vibrio cholerae and other enteric bacterial pathogens.
• Implementation of microbiological testing for cholera confirmation.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic and reference services were successfully established in Sierra Leone during 2012-2013.
• The laboratory developed the capability to isolate and identify key bacterial pathogens.
• Sierra Leone can now confirm cholera cases through in-country reference laboratory testing.

Conclusions:

• The establishment of diagnostic services significantly enhanced Sierra Leone's capacity to manage cholera outbreaks.
• Local laboratory capabilities are crucial for timely disease confirmation and public health response.
• Continued investment in diagnostic microbiology strengthens national health security against infectious diseases.