In the past two decades, there has been a significant reduction in malaria cases globally. However, health clinics in West Africa continue to witness a high number of patients presenting with fevers and symptoms that resemble malaria but are not exactly the same. These non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFI) pose a challenge for infectious disease surveillance programs due to limited knowledge about the pathogens behind these infections.
To address this gap, a close research partnership was established between the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The focus of this collaboration was to explore the role of genomics in detecting and identifying the pathogens responsible for NMFI.
A recent study, published in Nature Communications, highlighted the use of two genetic sequencing methods to analyze blood samples from patients in Senegal. The results of the sequencing revealed a diverse range of bacterial, viral, and other pathogens, with the tick-borne bacteria Borrelia emerging as a significant cause of NMFI in the region.
Zoë Levine, MD-Ph.D. candidate at Harvard Medical School, and Katie Siddle, Assistant Professor at Brown University, who were part of the research team, emphasized that these findings could lead to improved diagnostics and treatment strategies for NMFI in areas with a high burden of such cases. While the current metagenomic sequencing techniques proved effective in detecting pathogens like malaria and Borrelia, the researchers acknowledged the limitations of cost and equipment required for routine clinical use.
Levine further highlighted the importance of metagenomic surveillance in understanding the pathogen landscape and directing resources towards the development of point-of-care diagnostics. The genomic data generated and shared from these studies contribute to enhancing our knowledge of the diversity of key pathogens, laying the foundation for more precise diagnostic tools in the future.
The collaborative efforts between African scientists and researchers from renowned institutions have not only shed light on the complexity of NMFI but have also showcased the potential of genomics in unraveling health mysteries and guiding public health interventions. With continued partnerships and advancements in genomic technologies, the fight against infectious diseases in resource-limited settings is taking a significant step forward.