David Levene/The Guardian
Blood testing. Neglected tropical diseases such as Mycetoma affect more than one billion people a year.
Blood testing. Neglected tropical diseases such as Mycetoma affect more than one billion people a year.
©
Credits
Strengthening research capacity into mycetoma
Currently, there are no preventive measures for mycetoma, no point‐of‐care diagnostic test and no effective treatment for the disease. Resolution WHA69.21 therefore called on the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases to support the strengthening of research capacity in order to meet the need for better diagnostics, treatments and preventive tools for mycetoma. WHO is working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to develop improved treatment. WHO has supported prioritization of mycetoma by the recently (2019) established NTD Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group (NTD-DTAG) to help promote the development of a test for the disease.
Priorities
- Elucidate the mode of transmission and risk factors for infection.
- Determine the geographical distribution and burden of the disease.
- Assess the socioeconomic impact of mycetoma.
- Strengthen access to care and associated challenges.
- Develop a simple diagnostic test (preferably point-of-care).
