Mycetoma
Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection that causes tumorous lesions in the subcutaneous tissue. Most of the infection can be found in the feet, followed by the hands, legs and back. A characteristic of this disease is that the causative agent will organize itself in granules called grains, which can be secreted through the sinuses.
The disease is divided into actinomycetoma and eumycetoma, based on the causative agent. The clinical presentation is virtually identical, with only minor differences. In both cases the infection starts with a small nodule. Treatment of mycetoma is dependent on the causative agent. Actinomycetoma is usually treated with a combination of antibiotics.
Early accurate diagnosis and treatment is vital to prevent the severity of the disease, with consequent disability. The development of rapid diagnostic tools for use at the primary healthcare level is a priority for national control programmes.
The World Health Organization is seeking feedback on the target product profiles (TPPs) for mycetoma diagnostics from industry experts, product developers, the scientific community, NTD programme personnel and clinicians currently involved in the management and control of mycetoma.
Details of the TPPs may be found in the linked documents
- Diagnostic Target Product Profile for mycetoma diagnostics - Final Draft
- Mycetoma Diagnosis - Final Draft
Proposed revisions arising from the public consultation will be considered by the TPP working group before it is finalized. The final TPPs will be used for the development of diagnostics for the treatment of mycetoma.