Primary immunodeficiency in Africa, a case for autopsy based implementation Science projects

Abstract

Primary immunodeficiency encompasses a broad range of constitutional innate and adaptive immune dysfunction characterised by recurrent or severe infections. In developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa there are high rates of infectious disease morbidity and mortality. Low autopsy rates, inadequate diagnostic infrastructure limits the diagnosis and characterisation of primary immunodeficiency. Targeted implementation science approaches to clinical autopsy in developing sub-Saharan countries would evaluate the magnitude of this problem and provide innovative diagnostic approaches