title: Development and Implementation of the ANISA Labeling and Tracking System for Biological Specimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Aetiology of Neonatal Infection in South Asia study is a major effort to determine the causes of community-acquired neonatal infections. It involves collecting epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data in 5 sites in 3 countries. The field and laboratory research operations are streamlined to maintain integrity and validity while operating in complex and variable environments. We developed a customized system for implementation of labeling and tracking biological specimen in both rural and urban community settings and integrated into all study laboratories. This report outlines the development and implementation of this harmonized system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The system links and tracks specimens with study participants and results generated from laboratory tests. Each biological specimen and its aliquots are tracked through key steps of the protocol, from collection and transport through molecular testing and long-term storage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The labeling and tracking system allows for standardization and monitoring of laboratory processes and improves the accuracy of Aetiology of Neonatal Infection in South Asia data. Community-based scientific projects could greatly benefit by adopting this, or a similar, system for specimen tracking and data linkage.
authors.affiliation: From the *Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh; †Child Health Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh; and ‡Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Nicholas E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: Tanvir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Qazi Sadeq-ur
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Mohammad Shahidul
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Maksuda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Belal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.forename: Maureen Helen
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schrag
authors.forename: Shams
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Arifeen
authors.forename: Samir K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D001211:Asia, Western / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D000071074:Neonatal Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014505:Urban Population