CORAIL study
Types:
Research, network & COVID-19
Regions/Countries:
Global – Bangladesh, Cameroon, Lebanon, Madagascar et Mali
Reinforcement of capacities for monitoring and analyzing SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Context
Genomic surveillance is an important tool for identifying the emergence of new variants of interest (VOI) and variants of concern (VOC) of the SARS virus. It therefore provides support for the public health response by enabling the introduction of actions to control the pandemic.
Objectives
The overall objective of this project is to reinforce the capacities of members of the GABRIEL network to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants and to introduce surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants causing concern, in line with their own respective national strategies. The acquisition of genomic data during the epidemic will provide the decision-makers with data to guide their actions.
Five GABRIEL members (ideSHi, BITID, CPC, LRM in Beirut, CICM in Madagascar) have benefited from this program with:
- Financial support for launching activities.
- Scientific support for defining a strategy and technical methodology.
Activities
- Capacity mapping for member institutions of the GABRIEL network.
- Pooling of technical protocols and educational content between members.
- Selection of GABRIEL members requiring support and definition of a strategy with each of these members.
- Scientific and technical support for developing skills in the PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 variantsand the analysis of data allowing the detection of variants following Next Generation Sequencing.
Impact
- Improvement in the detection and characterization of COVID variants in low income countries.
- Increased visibility for partners.
- Dissemination of results to clinicians and health authorities.
- Positioning of the GABRIEL network as a key player in dealing with health crises.
The first results obtained by ideSHi in collaboration with the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) have been published in an international peer-reviewed journal. This team was in fact the first to observe the appearance of the Omicron BA.2 variant in Bangladesh.
Promoter
- Mérieux Foundation
Partners
- Charles Mérieux Center for Infectious Disease (CICM), Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory (LRM) in Beirut and Saint Joseph hospital, Lebanon
- Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi), Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID), Bangladesh
- Centre Pasteur (CPC), Cameroon