Current Challenges and Opportunities in Molecular Diagnosis of Respiratory Viral Co-Infections in Low-Resource Settings: A Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

Respiratory viral infection continues to be a public health problem of great concern worldwide especially in low resource settings like Nigeria where there are a lot of infrastructural and diagnostic challenges in the health sector. Co-infections with respiratory viruses (e.g., influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, and SARS-CoV-2) have become more common and are complicating the diagnosis, monitoring, and clinical management of disease. Rapid and accurate detection of multiple respiratory pathogens has been enhanced with the use of molecular diagnostic technologies, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), multiplex PCR assays, and next-generation sequencing. In Nigeria however, their use is limited due to their cost, poor laboratory facilities, insufficient expertise, inadequate surveillance system and policy issues.
This study used a qualitative systematic review design with contextual policy analysis to explore the molecular diagnosis of respiratory viral co-infections challenges and opportunities in Nigeria. The literature reviewed and analysed was themed and focused on the period 2015-2025.
The study identified that although there are barriers to molecular diagnostics that exist, there are also opportunities such as decentralised point-of-care diagnostics, digital health integration, local production of diagnostic materials, training of the workforce, and investment in post-COVID-19 diagnostics that provide strategic pathways to build molecular diagnostic capacity and enhance healthcare system preparedness for infectious diseases in low-resource settings.