Multi-Pathogen Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness in Nigeria Using TaqMan Array Cards: Implementation Successes and Lessons Learned From the SAFIAN Study

Abstract

Undiagnosed acute febrile illness (AFI) is a persistent challenge in Nigeria, where the presence of malaria is often presumed in the absence of timely and accurate diagnostic confirmation. To expand diagnostic capacity and identify a broader spectrum of AFI etiologies, the Surveillance of Acute Febrile Illness Aetiology in Nigeria (SAFIAN) study implemented the TaqMan Array Card (TAC) platform to test for 25 pathogens among febrile patients at 2 tertiary hospitals. This article summarizes operational lessons from the introduction of TACs along with key implementation components, including platform selection, procurement and shipment of specialized equipment, laboratory preparation, staff training, and quality control oversight. We also highlight several constraints, including procurement delays, sample contamination, assay underperformance, and procedural inefficiencies. Findings from the SAFIAN study reveal that successful integration of TACs requires strong site-level coordination, real-time data and supply tracking, cross-team collaboration, and sustained investment in infrastructure and workforce capacity to improve detection and response efforts in high-burden environments.