The WHO Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2030 highlights the need for new highly sensitive and easily operable diagnostic tests for different prevalence settings and all schistosome species for surveillance. In recent times, many African countries are moving towards the goal of local elimination of Schistosomiasis as a public health problem via the Mass Drug Administration (MDA), which lowers infection prevalence. The co-habitation nature of the two species (Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium) raises the problem of accurate and specific diagnosis, especially when infections are asymptomatic and low intensity during control programs.

The WHO recommended traditional diagnostic tests such as Kato-Katz and Circulating Cathodic Antigen for S. mansoni, and urine filtration for S. haematobium, lack sensitivity, and haematuria (blood in urine) for S. haematobium lacks specificity. These procedures involve examining both stool and urine for eggs, and blood and urine for the presence of parasite antigen or antibodies. Logistically and technically, such tests are time-consuming and inadequately sensitive, and they often produce false negative results as antibodies persist even after successful treatment. The WHO recommends the use of diagnostic tests with high sensitivity and specificity because of the discrepancy of infection intensity between age groups, and can also track the efficacy of control efforts.

We therefore welcome the submission of all article types on the following subthemes:

1. Current innovation in diagnostic efficacy for surveillance.
2. Diagnostic innovation for Point-of-Need for Schistosomiasis.
3. Diagnostic innovation for Point-of-Care for Schistosomiasis.
4. Dual Schistosome species detection by sensitive and specific diagnostic.
5. Usage of diagnostics for present Schistosomiasis surveillance in endemic countries.
6. Current usage of diagnostics for determination of control effort efficacy for Schistosomiasis in endemic countries.

Impact

Frontiers in Tropical Diseases

Neglected Tropical Diseases