Establishment of a multisite umbrella cohort study protocol to describe the epidemiology and aetiologies of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Latin America

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Abstract
Introduction: Acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses (AUFIs) impose a large burden in the tropics. Understanding of AUFI’s epidemiology is limited. Insufficient diagnostic capacity hinders the detection of outbreaks. The lack of interconnection in healthcare systems hinders timely response. We describe a protocol to study the epidemiology and aetiologies of AUFI and pathogen discovery in strategic areas of Latin America (LA).Methods and analysis: Global Infectious Diseases Network investigators comprising institutions in Colombia, Dominican Republic, México, Perú and the USA, developed a common cohort study protocol. The primary objective is to determine the aetiologies of AUFI at healthcare facilities in high-risk areas. Data collection and laboratory testing for viral, bacterial and parasitic agents are performed in rural and urban healthcare facilities and partner laboratories. Centralised laboratory and data management cores deploy diagnostic tests and data management tools. Subjects >6 years with fever for Leptospiraspp, andRickettsiaspp. Serum is used for viral cultures and next-generation sequencing for pathogen discovery. Analysis includes variable distributions, risk factors and regression models. Laboratory results are shared with health authorities and network members.Ethics and dissemination: The protocol was approved by local ethics committees and health authorities. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. All study results are shared with local and regional health authorities.
Funding Information
  • University of Texas Medical Branch (na)
  • National Institutes of Health (R24 AI120942)

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