Formative research to inform development of a new diagnostic for soil-transmitted helminths: Going beyond the laboratory to ensure access to a needed product

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Helen L StoreyTala de Los Santos

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) affect more than 1.5 billion people. The global strategy to control STH infections requires periodic mass drug administration (MDA) based on prevalence among populations at risk determined by diagnostic testing. Widely used copromicroscopy methods to detect infection, however, have low sensitivity as the prevalence and intensity of STH infections decline with repeated MDA. More sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to inform program decision-making. Using an integrated product development process, PATH conducted qualitative and quantitative formative research to inform the design and development of a more sensitive test for STH infections. The research, grounded in a conceptual framework for ensuring access to health products, involved stakeholder analysis, key opinion leader interviews, observational site visits of ongoing STH surveillance programs, and market research including market sizing, costing and willingness-to-pay analyses. Stakeholder analysis identified key groups and proposed strategic engagement of stakeholders during product development. Interviews highlighted features, motivations and concerns that are important for guiding design and implementation of new STH diagnostics. Proc...Continue Reading

References

Mar 10, 2009·Trends in Parasitology·Robert BergquistJürg Utzinger
Apr 29, 2009·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Peter J Hotez
Jul 15, 2009·Health Affairs·Laura J Frost, Michael R Reich
May 1, 2012·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Sara LustigmanMaría-Gloria Basáñez
Jan 23, 2014·Parasites & Vectors·Rachel L PullanSimon J Brooker
Nov 19, 2014·Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Antonio MontresorBruno Levecke
Dec 23, 2016·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Kenneth R HawkinsTala de Los Santos
Jan 13, 2017·Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS·Debrah I BoerasRosanna W Peeling
Mar 2, 2018·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Mark D LimUNKNOWN Annecy STH diagnostic experts group
Aug 15, 2018·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Sören L BeckerJürg Utzinger
Aug 21, 2018·The Lancet Infectious Diseases·William M Lin, David G Addiss

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 23, 2020·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Kota YoshiokaMichael R Reich

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
MDA
nucleic acid amplification

Software Mentioned

PATH

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.