System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40037906 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016916

Proof-of-principle of a technology transfer of a dried blood virus neutralisation assay to a Gavi-eligible country.

BMJ Glob Health 10(3)

Authors: Evangeline Obodai, Jonne Terstappen, Jude Yayra Mensah, Anouk Versnel, Comfort Nuamah Antwi, Louis J Bont, Daniela Cianci, Eveline M Delemarre, John Kofi Odoom, Peter M van de Ven, Natalie I Mazur

Affiliations

  • Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana.
  • Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana.
  • ReSViNET Foundation, Zeist, Netherlands.
  • Department of Data Science & Biostatistics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Global health clinical research is commonly led by high-income countries (HICs) as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face barriers to participate, including lack of financial and human capacity and lack of research environment. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine development is also led by HICs, while LMICs carry the burden of life-threatening disease. Representative trials and research capacity strengthening in LMICs are needed to ensure global vaccine access and equity. This study aims to transfer an RSV neutralisation assay, which uses live cells and virus with inherent high variation, to a country eligible to receive support from the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

METHODS

Using a train-the-trainer approach, a Ghanaian researcher was trained in the Netherlands on the dried blood-based RSV neutralisation assay. Subsequently, a Dutch researcher visited Ghana to support the process of adapting the technique to the Ghanaian setting. In a previously validated RSV neutralisation assay on dried blood, Hep-2 cells were infected with a serial dilution of sample-virus mixture to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Fifty-one dried blood and serum samples were tested in parallel in both countries to assess concordance.

RESULTS

Training and technology transfer was deemed successful, which was defined as neutralisation measurements by the Ghana team and high concordance (Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC)>0.8). Neutralising capacity measured in identical samples in Ghana and the Netherlands correlated highly (Lin's CCC=0.87; Spearman rho=0.89) but was systematically lower in Ghana than the Netherlands.

CONCLUSION

We show successful transfer of an RSV neutralisation assay, thereby strengthening the laboratory research capacity in a Gavi-eligible country. Reliable measurement of RSV neutralising antibodies in a Gavi-eligible country and the use of dried blood can contribute to inclusion of LMICs in RSV vaccine development and access.

MeSH

Cells, Research Design, Respiratory Syncytial Viruses, Blood, Technology Transfer, Vaccines, Global Health, Income, Viruses, Research, Vaccine Development