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. 2017 Jul 1;216(suppl_1):S299-S307.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix092.

The Global Polio Laboratory Network as a Platform for the Viral Vaccine-Preventable and Emerging Diseases Laboratory Networks

Ousmane M Diop  1 , Olen M Kew  2 , Esther M de Gourville  3 , Mark A Pallansch  4
Affiliations

The Global Polio Laboratory Network as a Platform for the Viral Vaccine-Preventable and Emerging Diseases Laboratory Networks

Ousmane M Diop et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

The Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) began building in the late 1980s on a 3-tiered structure of 146 laboratories with different and complementary technical and support capacities (poliovirus isolation, molecular strain characterization including sequencing, quality assurance, and research). The purpose of this network is to provide timely and accurate laboratory results to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Deeply integrated with field case-based surveillance, it ultimately provides molecular epidemiological data from polioviruses used to inform programmatic and immunization activities. This network of global coverage requires substantial investments in laboratory infrastructure, equipment, supplies, reagents, quality assurance, staffing and training, often in resource-limited settings. The GPLN has not only developed country capacities, but it also serves as a model to other global laboratory networks for vaccine-preventable diseases that will endure after the polio eradication goal is achieved. Leveraging lessons learned during past 27 years, the authors discuss options for transitioning GPLN assets to support control of other viral vaccine-preventable, emerging, and reemerging diseases.

Keywords: Eradication; Laboratory; Legacy; Networking; Poliomyelitis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Diagram showing tiered structure and functions of the Global Polio Laboratory Network. Abbreviations: ITD, intratypic differentiation; PT, proficiency testing; QC, quality control.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Diagram showing laboratory data flow in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Abbreviation: WHO HQ, World Health Organization headquarters.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Changes in detections of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and wild poliovirus (WPV) between 1998 and 2016. Abbreviations: AFR, African Region; AMR, Region of the Americas; EMR, Eastern Mediterranean Region; EUR, European Region; SEAR, South-East Asia Region; WPR, Western Pacific Region.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Global Polio Laboratory Network changes to testing algorithm to shorten laboratory reporting time. Abbreviations: ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; NA, not applicable; NSL, non–Sabin-like; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; PV, poliovirus; RT-PCR, reverse-transcription PCR; VDPV, vaccine-derived poliovirus; VP1, viral protein 1; WHO, World Health Organization.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Word cloud analysis based on the frequency of words used during the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. When some key words were cited in different categories, their sizes are proportional to their relevance in the each categories.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Main achievements of the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN). Abbreviation: WHO, World Health Organization.
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References

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