CONTAGIO

Objectives and Tasks

Objective 1: Develop a pandemic preparedness cohort platform to map research groups conducting cohort studies in the Global South and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) (Task 1.1)

Task 1.1 aims to establish connections among international research groups running cohort studies, multidisciplinary platforms, and clinical/epidemiological research networks in the Global South and LMICs that are equipped to respond to emerging infectious diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential. To achieve this aim, the following steps are undertaken:

  • Conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis and develop an inventory (database) of cohort researchers across the Global South and LMICs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean;
  • Provide a concise and standardised description of cohort researchers and their capabilities within these regions and;
  • Develop a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) platform (dashboard), to be made publicly available on the CONTAGIO website and, where possible, linked to existing consortia platforms. 

This online platform will empower researchers to:

  • Rapidly respond to emerging epidemics by facilitating collaboration and access to essential tools.
  • Form research consortiums to tackle outbreaks or pandemics more effectively.
  • Access resources such as harmonised electronic case report forms (eCRFs), biorepository capabilities, and ethics templates within the CONTAGIO website.

Researchers

Leads: Dr. Adriana Tami ¹,² and Prof. Philippe Mayaud ³ (Leads)  
Project Coordinators: Dr. Vaitiare Mulderij-Jansen ¹ and Aida Bedri, MSc. ¹  
Data Scientist: Gerolf de Boer ¹

¹ University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Netherlands
² Universidad de Carabobo (UC), Venezuela
³ London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom

Objective 2: Develop a roadmap for repurposing existing cohorts in the event of an epi/pandemic (Task 1.2)

Task 1.2 aims to create a disease-agnostic roadmap or toolbox for inter-epidemic maintenance of cohorts that will:

  • Keep participants and researchers engaged and prepared for re-activation
  • Serve as the main guide for researchers, helping them navigate and utilize all the tools available on the CONTAGIO website 

 The roadmap/ toolbox will cover the following aspects:

  • Rapid ethical clearance via ‘pre-clearance’ of modular elements
  • Building good communication channels with local ethics committees (linked to CONTAGIO WP3)
  • Resources for eCRFs (linked to CONTAGIO WP2)
  • Preparing data sharing and material transfer agreements
  • Identification of channels for rapidly importing reagents and supplies (linked to CONTAGIO WP4)
  • Upholding minimal activities at the site, including training for continuously employed personnel, and to future personnel hired during outbreaks
  • Maintaining the engagement of local principal investigators in networks across countries/regions, offering benefits through networking and collaborative publications

Researcher

Prof. Thomas Jänisch (colorado school of public health / Heidelberger Institut für Global Health):

Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg (UKHD), Germany 
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus (UCD), United States

Objective 3: Enhance the communication between national surveillance authorities and cohort research led by academic institutions in a subset of pilot countries (Task 1.3)

Task 1.3 aims to establish an enhanced communication channel between the scientific groups at local academic institutions (responsible for ongoing cohort studies) and public health authorities, to share research findings and stay up to date with public health priorities.

This initiative was successfully piloted in Colombia through a collaboration between the Universidad Industrial de Santander and the Instituto Nacional de Salud. We are actively exploring possibilities for specific research projects that will further facilitate interaction with the countries' public health entities. Further piloting is planned in Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.

Researchers

Prof. Neal Alexander ¹
Dr. Maria Consuelo Miranda ²

¹ London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom
² Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Colombia