A pathway for skin NTD diagnostic development.

Abstract

Among the more than 20 diseases and disease groups featured in the 2021–2030 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) road map published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 10 present primarily with cutaneous manifestations: Buruli ulcer, cutaneous leishmaniasis and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and other deep mycosis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, scabies and other ectoparasites, and yaws. These are sometimes referred to as skin NTDs. Skin NTDs hinder individuals’ quality of life through pain, deformity, loss of function, stigma, social discrimination, isolation, and loss of livelihoods. As a result, the 2021–2030 NTD road map identified skin NTDs as a priority area of work. To assist national programmes, in 2022, WHO released a companion document to guide integrated approaches to their detection, diagnosis, management, and control [1].