title: Establishing an enteric bacteria reference laboratory in Sierra Leone.
abstract: In 2012, Sierra Leone experienced its worst cholera outbreak in over 15 years affecting 12 of the country's 13 districts. With limited diagnostic capability, particularly in bacterial culture, the cholera outbreak was initially confirmed by microbiological testing of clinical specimens outside of Sierra Leone. During 2012 - 2013, in direct response to the lack of diagnostic microbiology facilities, and to assist in investigating and monitoring the cholera outbreak, diagnostic and reference services were established in Sierra Leone at the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory focusing specifically on isolating and identifying Vibrio cholerae and other enteric bacterial pathogens. Sierra Leone is now capable of confirming cholera cases by reference laboratory testing.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, United Kingdom. marie.chattaway@hpa.org.uk.
authors.forename: Marie Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chattaway
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamara
authors.forename: Fay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Konneh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaffeta
authors.forename: Amara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jambai
authors.forename: Wondimagegnehu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alemu
authors.forename: Mohammed Sirajul
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Molly M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Welfare
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Ahmed F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Samba
authors.forename: Musu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu
authors.forename: Sylvester
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamanda
authors.forename: Kathie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Satheesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Siorvanes
authors.forename: Sarika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Collette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Zonya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jeffrey
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salter
mesh_terms: D002771:Cholera / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004501:Education, Medical; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011786:Quality Control; D012807:Sierra Leone / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce