Lassa fever near-patient PCR and haemostasis diagnostics

Lassa fever is a life-threatening viral haemorrhagic fever and a major public health burden in West Africa, causing tens of thousands of cases annually with high patient mortality. The signs and symptoms of LF mimic common febrile illnesses in the early phase of the disease which makes diagnosis of the disease difficult. Severe disease is characterized by bleeding, the pathogenesis of which remains unexplained. Clinical patterns of bleeding and data from the 1980s have suggested that platelet dysfunction may be a major cause. This research project will study Lassa fever in adults and children in Sierra Leone. This project will develop and evaluate novel LASV assays in portable RT-qPCR systems to facilitate early diagnosis at the point of need, and will investigate the haemostatic changes in Lassa fever using modern assays, focusing especially on platelet dysfunction. We will assess whether thromboelastometry and coagulopathy biomarkers correlate with bleeding and disease severity. Flow cytometry will further improve understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for the coagulopathy. This research has the potential to achieve rapid impact, strengthen laboratory capability and provide new international academic collaboration in a neglected disease designated a priority for research by the World Health Organization.