Whole blood genome-wide transcriptome profiling and metagenomics next-generation sequencing in young infants with suspected sepsis in a low-and middle-income country: A study protocol [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

• Main Authors: Constantin R. Popescu, Bentry Tembo, Rhoda Chifisi, Miranda M.M. Cavanagh, Amy Huei-Yi Lee, Blessings Chiluzi, Emily J. Ciccone, Gerald Tegha, Esther Alonso-Prieto, Jennifer Claydon, Dustin Dunsmuir, Mike Irvine, Guy Dumont, J. Mark Ansermino, Matthew O. Wiens, Jonathan J. Juliano, Niranjan Kissoon, Tisungane Mvalo, Norman Lufesi, Msandeni Chiume-Kayuni, Pascal M. Lavoie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2020-11-01
• Series: Gates Open Research
• Online Access: https://gatesopenresearch.org/articles/4-139/v2

Conducting collaborative and comprehensive epidemiological research on neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is challenging due to a lack of diagnostic tests. This prospective study protocol aims to obtain epidemiological data on bacterial sepsis in newborns and young infants at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. The main goal is to determine if the use of whole blood transcriptome host immune response signatures can help in the identification of infants who have sepsis of bacterial causes. The protocol includes a detailed clinical assessment with vital sign measurements, strict aseptic blood culture protocol with state-of-the-art microbial analyses and RNA-sequencing and metagenomics evaluations of host responses and pathogens, respectively. We also discuss the directions of a brief analysis plan for RNA sequencing data. This study will provide robust epidemiological data for sepsis in neonates and young infants in a setting where sepsis confers an inordinate burden of disease.