[Contribution of the University Clinical Research Center's laboratoryin the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in Mali]

INTRODUCTION

The rapid diagnostic capacities of laboratories in Mali have been an essential element in the response to COVID-19. The University Clinical Research center (UCRC) diagnosed the first cases of Mali COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to describe the contribution of the UCRC in the diagnosis of Covid-19 and to clinically and epidemiologically characterize the patients tested in the UCRC laboratory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted during eight months of intense activity. The samples were sent from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) to the UCRC.

RESULTS

The UCRC tested 12,406 contacts and suspected samples and confirmed the diagnosis in 1091 patients, or 9%. The most common symptoms were cough (48.78%), headache (34.14%), fatigue / weakness (34.14%), while (33.33%) of the patients were asymptomatic. The sample positivity rate among new cases decreased from May to September 2020, despite almost 230% of the number of samples tested.

CONCLUSION

The laboratory played a major role in the response and there may be a low transmission of the virus in the Malian community.