Diagnosing point-of-care diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases

Abstract

Inadequate and nonintegrated diagnostics are the Achilles’ heel of global efforts to monitor, control, and eradicate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). While treatment is often available, NTDs are endemic among marginalized populations, due to the unavailability or inadequacy of diagnostic tests that cause empirical misdiagnoses. The need of the hour is early diagnosis at the point-of-care (PoC) of NTD patients. Here, we review the status quo of PoC diagnostic tests and practices for all of the 24 NTDs identified in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2021–2030 roadmap, based on their different diagnostic requirements. We discuss the capabilities and shortcomings of current diagnostic tests, identify diagnostic needs, and formulate prerequisites of relevant PoC tests. Next to technical requirements, we stress the importance of availability and awareness programs for establishing PoC tests that fit endemic resource-limited settings. Better understanding of NTD diagnostics will pave the path for setting realistic goals for healthcare in areas with minimal resources, thereby alleviating the global healthcare burden.

Author summary

Diagnostic practices are crucial for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In this review, we critically discuss each of 24 NTDs as defined in the 2021–2030 roadmap of the World Health Organization (WHO), to identify their specific point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic needs. In doing so, we sketch possible solutions to meet the diagnostic needs by providing realistic technical solutions that will enable early diagnosis of NTDs. We group NTDs in accordance to the common solutions for their PoC diagnostic needs so that joint interventions can be applied for multiple NTDs, in order to lessen the global burden of NTDs.