Resources

Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. The infectious agent of trachoma is the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis that spreads by contact with an infected person’s hands or clothing. Infection leads to conjunctival inflammation that produces trachoma follicles visible on physical exam. Yet it is the repeated episodes of reinfection and inflammation that lead to scarring, distortion of the eyelid, and in-turning of the lid with the eyelashes touching the cornea, called trichiasis, that leads to blindness. Infectious spread is prevented by good hygiene practices, including hand and face cleanliness, and environmental improvements. Antibiotics, namely oral azithromycin or topical tetracycline, are an effective treatment of active trachoma infections, while surgery is indicated to manage trichiasis.The Alliance for Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020 (GET 2020), led by the World Health Organization (WHO), developed the SAFE strategy to reach their goal of eliminating trachoma by 2020 through Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. The most commonly used antibiotic for trachoma, oral azithromycin, is donated free of charge by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and is given to entire communities. In order to assess the impact of the community-wide antibiotic distribution, commonly known as mass drug administration (MDA), trachoma surveillance is performed with a physical exam of the eye. This method of diagnosis is acceptable for early control programs; however, as we move closer to elimination of trachoma, more sensitive and specific diagnostics are needed.This report proposes a target product profile (TPP) for the development of a new diagnostic technology that facilitates an accurate stopping decision phase for MDA. Each attribute has an “acceptable” standard that must be met and an “ideal” standard that, if met, would maximize the target product’s value. This TPP focuses on the development of a lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that detects trachoma antigens.As reference, for a description of the currently available nucleic acid amplification tests for trachoma, please see Appendices A-1 and A-2.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) affect the poorest populations. Several NTDs including schistosomiasis are controlled by preventive chemotherapy (PC) in the form of periodic mass drug administration (MDA). In areas with insufficient sanitation, schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) are transmitted by eggs excreted in human stool and/or urine that contaminates the environment. Around 200 million individuals are infected with schistosomiasis, resulting in an estimated 1.7 to 4.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost, and 14,000 to 280,000 deaths per year.Control programs based on MDA have four designated stages: mapping disease distribution, impact monitoring of MDA interventions, stopping decisions for MDA, and post-elimination surveillance. Current diagnostics including the Kato-Katz technique are thought to be sufficient for mapping disease distribution (Appendix A: Common diagnostic tools). As the most commonly used method for schistosomiasis detection, its main strength is its extensive validation and familiarity all over the world. Requiring nothing more than a microscope and a good light source or power, the simplistic technology allows easier use at lower infrastructure levels. However, the major limitations of the Kato-Katz technique are its need for a trained microscopist and low sensitivity for detecting light intensity infections, which diminishes its utility in later disease control stages. To support Schistosomiasis control programs to continue to move toward elimination, a more sensitive, field deployable diagnostic is needed.This report proposes a target product profile (TPP) for the development of a new diagnostic technology that facilitates accurate post-elimination surveillance. Each attribute has an “acceptable” standard that must be met and an “ideal” standard that if met would maximize the target product’s value. This TPP focuses on the development of a lateral flow rapid diagnostic test that detects Schistosoma antibody. Important to note, there are limited guidelines for post-elimination surveillance of NTDs, especially schistosomiasis, as few if any locations have reached this goal. Attributes were informed based on current knowledge and would benefit from further refinement as new guidelines are created.

Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world. The infectious agent of trachoma is the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis that spreads by contact with an infected person’s hands or clothing. Infection leads to conjunctival inflammation that produces trachoma follicles visible on physical exam. Yet it is the repeated episodes of reinfection and inflammation that lead to scarring, distortion of the eyelid, and in-turning of the lid with the eyelashes touching the cornea, called trichiasis, that leads to blindness. Infectious spread is prevented by good hygiene practices, including hand and face cleanliness, and environmental improvements. Antibiotics, namely oral azithromycin or topical tetracycline, are an effective treatment of active trachoma infections, while surgery is indicated to manage trichiasis.The Alliance for Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020 (GET 2020), led by the World Health Organization (WHO), developed the SAFE strategy to reach their goal of eliminating trachoma by 2020 through Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement.2 The most commonly used antibiotic for trachoma, oral azithromycin, is donated free of charge by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and is given to entire communities. In order to assess the impact of the community-wide antibiotic distribution, commonly known as mass drug administration (MDA), trachoma surveillance is performed with a physical exam of the eye. This method of diagnosis is acceptable for early control programs; however, as we move closer to elimination of trachoma, more sensitive and specific diagnostics are needed.This report proposes a target product profile (TPP) for the development of a new diagnostic technology that facilitates accurate post-elimination surveillance. Each attribute has an “acceptable” standard that must be met and an “ideal” standard that, if met, would maximize the target product’s value. This TPP focuses on the development of a lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that detects trachoma antibodies.As reference, for a description of the currently available nucleic acid amplification tests for trachoma, please see Appendices A-1 and A-2

This fact sheet provides an overview of rotavirus disease and vaccines in Tajikistan. It includes information about the tremendous burden of rotavirus diarrhea in Tajikistani children, rotavirus diarrhea treatment and prevention strategies, and the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines.

Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Technologies News and Updates provides semiannual briefings on PATH’s work to advance innovative technologies that help to improve vaccine and pharmaceutical products and the way they are delivered, especially in remote settings with limited access to health facilities and refrigeration equipment.