Diagnostics
Introduction
Diagnostics are central to assessing the presence of disease in an individual, helping to identify the cause and determine an appropriate course of treatment or intervention. Diagnostics can range from complex tests that need specialist skills and equipment and that can only be carried out in a laboratory setting, to rapid tests (such as dipstick tests) that can be performed in the patient’s own home.
Low-cost, good-quality diagnostics that can be used easily, are available locally and are stable, are particularly important for the developing world where poverty, poor access to treatment facilities, and inadequate health systems can delay patients seeking treatment. Diagnostics are also important at the population level, as they can help monitor the effectiveness of interventions (both therapeutic and preventative), follow the spread of disease, and indicate the presence of drug resistance. Through screening, diagnostics can prevent or limit disease outbreaks.
TDR related research
TDR supports research on this topic. Our work is being conducted in the following areas:
Latest news
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Increased support for the development of needed TB diagnostic tests
FIND and WHO/TDR agree to expand access to TB specimens
20 March 2013 -
Cholera diagnostic test evaluations needed
17 October 2012
TDR publications and articles
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Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Performance - Results of WHO product testing of malaria RDTs: Round 4 (2012)
The evaluation programme is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP). Testing is performed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
10 December 2012 -
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Performance – Results of WHO product testing of malaria RDTs: Round 3 (2010-2011)
The evaluation programme is co-sponsored by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP). Testing is performed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
11 October 2011 -
Visceral Leishmaniasis Rapid Diagnostic Test Performance
Diagnostics Evaluation Series No. 4
24 August 2011