title: Strengthening laboratory capacity through the surveillance of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Central Africa: the Surveillance Épidémiologique en Afrique Centrale (SURVAC) Project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the SURVAC pilot project was to strengthen disease surveillance and response in three countries; Cameroon (CAE), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven laboratories involved in rotavirus surveillance were provided with equipment, reagents and supplies. CDC and WHO staff provided on-site classroom and bench training in biosafety, quality assurance, quality control (QC), rotavirus diagnosis using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and genotyping of rotavirus strains using the Reverse Transcription Polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR). All laboratory data were reported through WHO/AFRO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three staff members were trained on RT-PCR for rotavirus genotyping which was introduced for the first time in all three countries. In CAE, the number of samples analysed by EIA and RT-PCR increased tenfold between 2007 and 2013. In DRC, this number increased fivefold, from 2009 to 2013 whereas in CAR, it increased fourfold between 2011 and 2013. All laboratories passed WHO proficiency testing in 2014.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laboratory capacity was strengthened through equipping laboratories and strengthening a subregional laboratory workforce for surveillance of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Each of the three countries generated rotavirus surveillance and genotyping data enabling the mapping of circulating genotypes. These results will help monitor the impact of rotavirus vaccination in these countries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waku-Kouomou
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Esona
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Recherches Biomédicales, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pukuta
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic.
authors.forename: Ionela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gouandijka-Vasilache
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Center, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Angeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boula
authors.affiliation: Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Country Office of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Vital
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mondonge
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Country Office of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mekontso
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Country Office of Central African Republic, Bangui, Central African Republic.
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guifara
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Country Office of Central African Republic, Bangui, Central African Republic.
authors.forename: Regis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mbary-Daba
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
authors.forename: Ali Ahmed
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yahaya
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mwenda
authors.affiliation: Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.affiliation: Complexe Pédiatrique de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic.
authors.forename: Jean Chrysostome
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gody
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Recherches Biomédicales, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Muyembe
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Center, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koki-Ndombo
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bowen
keywords: Afrique centrale; Central Africa; Laboratorio; capacidad; capacity; capacité; laboratoire; laboratory; rotavirus; África Central