Developing field-deployable RT-PCR for vector surveillance

In malaria vector control surveillance, data concerning many important indicators can only be collected via laboratory-based molecular tests (i.e., species confirmation of species complexes, molecular mechanisms of resistance, Plasmodium infectivity). At present, transporting mosquitoes to laboratories for testing is a major rate-limiting step that can lead to months-long delays in receiving data, especially if there is no molecular lab in-country.

Recently, transportable RT-PCR machines have been developed for analyzing environmental samples and are being adapted to run mosquito diagnostic assays. This investment can support the development of protocols and field-stable reagents for mosquito assays as well as the testing of their feasibility for use in the field by collaborators in Africa. The overall goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a field-deployable, PCR-based insecticide resistance surveillance system in Cameroon. This insecticide resistance surveillance system will involve field-deployable preparation of mosquito DNA samples and a PCR-based insecticide marker diagnostic assay that can be performed in a cost-effective and user-friendly, portable bCUBE PCR machine linked to automatic data interpretation integrated with a centralized GIS database. The insecticide surveillance system will be designed for autonomous operation by National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) sentinel sites in Cameroon, and the generation of proof-of-principle data that will enhance our understanding of insecticide resistance dynamics in mosquito populations

The research team is led by Professor George Dimopoulos at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, and together with Professor Charles Wondji at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases in Yaoundé, Cameroon the team has been working since 2021 conducting laboratory R&D, and field testing in malaria-endemic areas of Cameroon. This is enabled by the distinctive features of the Hyris System™ for molecular testing that is based on a simple portable battery-powered device rather than a heavy laboratory-based benchtop machine. The team is currently exploring the path for nationwide deployment of the mosquito insecticide resistance surveillance system in Cameroon, something that would enable real-time informed decision-making on malaria mosquito control campaigns using the most effective insecticides.

Project detailsProject details

Diagnostics
Product Development
Surveillance

Oct 2020 — Oct 2023

$1.5M

Cameroon
United States