The laboratory plays a central role in most of the biomedical science research and clinical trials studies conducted by the centre. It is equipped and staffed with highly skilled personnel to support research work and to provide diagnostic support services to in-patients and out-patients of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital. Services on offer include haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular PCR testing and a cold chain storage facility among others. The laboratory partakes in proficiency testing with international accredited institutions and is deemed to produce high quality and credible results for both research purposes and patient care. The following are the various laboratory units and their functions.
Clinical Biochemistry Unit
The unit performs a wide range of assays including liver function tests, renal function tests, lipid profile, glucose, uric acid C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and urine chemistry. Depending on the specific laboratory requirements of projects, several other tests can be performed by this unit e.g. hormonal assay, etc.
The Clinical Chemistry unit has been equipped with one fully automated high through-put Mindray BS 360E chemistry analyzer with Iron Selective Electrode (ISE), a back-up Vitalab Selectra E chemistry analyzer and an automated Clinitek Status urine chemistry analyzer. The unit partakes in external quality assurance (EQA) proficiency testing with the College of American Pathologist (CAP) and the Royal College of Pathologist Australia Aquality Assurance programs (RCPAQAP).
Haematology Unit
This unit has a fully automated haematology analyzer (ABX Micros 60) for full blood count (FBC). The analyzer has a throughput of 60 samples per hour. 203 Hemocue analyzers are available for determination of haemoglobin in the field. A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) test, both qualitative and quantitative, is also available. Sickle cell is determined by both slide test and electrophoresis.
The unit undertakes external proficiency testing with the College of American Pathologist (CAP) and UK NEQAS external quality assurance services.
Microbiology Unit
The microbiology unit is known for its famous meningitis carriage in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical Institute. Staff have gone through several trainings on best practices and modern technologies e.g. PCR, ELISA, etc. The unit has grown into a fully fleshed microbiology laboratory. The unit is currently running a survey on meningitis for the GSK sponsored RTS,S malaria vaccine pilot implementation project to collect adverse events of special interest.
Molecular Biology and PCR Unit
Work in this unit started with the extraction of parasite DNA in a Plasmodium falciparum diversity study. The staff have since undergone training in PCR techniques and are well positioned to conduct cutting edge research with molecular techniques. The unit has recently received a modern molecular device; Real Time PCR machine making it capable to test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the virus that cause coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19). It also has two thermal cyclers and gel documentation systems. Before COVID-19, the unit had been analyzing samples obtained from febrile patients in the War Memorial Hospital for the Biofire project using the BioFire FilmArray fever panel. The unit in the coming months will be receiving samples from the Navrongo Integrated Surveillance Project (NISP), results of which will help characterized the etiology of some rare disease that might have gone unnoticed in the past.
Microscopy Unit
Presently, the main test performed in this unit is the examination of thick and thin blood smears for malaria parasites. The thick smear is used for quantification of parasites whiles the thin smear is used for morphological identification of parasites. More than 10,000 blood smears are examined by the microcopists yearly. Double blinded reading of blood smears is ensured and the level of concordance between two microscopists readings is excellent. The unit currently examines slides for the GSK sponsored RTS,S malaria vaccine pilot implementation project and the PAMGEN project.
Other aspects of microscopy are carried out when demanded e.g. Blood microfilaria, Schitosomiasis, etc. The unit is subscribed to an external proficiency testing with the College of American Pathologist (CAP) and the Clinical Laboratory Service (CLS), SA malaria microcopy proficiency testing scheme. All the microscopists of the unit have been graded as experts by CLS, SA in our recent malaria microcopy proficiency test.
Entomology Unit
The Entomology unit has CDC light traps for catching mosquitoes from the field and a dissecting microscope for identification and sorting of mosquitoes. Determination of circumsporozoite antigens in the mosquitoes is performed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and from the ELISA results, we are able to calculate the entomological inoculation rate (EIR). With some of the best technicians and scientist on the ground, the unit is able to supply other institutions with larva and support in insecticides resistance studies across the country. The unit has just completed a bednet durability study commissioned by the national malaria control programme (NMCP) and is currently collecting mosquitoes and ticks for a vector surveillance study.
Cold Chain Storage Facility
This facility is available for the storage and monitoring of vaccine, drugs and samples. The facility is endowed with +2 to +8 fridges, -20oC freezers and -80oC freezers with storage capacity to store reagents and hold samples for the projects.
