As a new generation of treatments for one of the world’s leading parasitic killers evolves, international bodies have teamed up to evaluate the Leishmaniasis test developed in Africa.
Africa CDC and the International Diagnostics Centres are supporting Tropical Disease Research, and the WHO Neglected Tropical Disease Department is evaluating a rapid test (IT-LEISH) for Visceral Leishmaniasis.
IT LEISH was previously manufactured by Bio-Rad, an American developer and manufacturer of specialized technological products, and is now being manufactured by GADx in Tunisia.
“This rapid laboratory evaluation will independently confirm and validate the performance of the IT-LEISH under the new manufacturer,” said Dr Noah Fongwen, Coordinator of Diagnostic Access at Africa CDC.
Visceral leishmaniasis – also known as kala-azar – causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and, if not treated, death.
The neglected tropical disease affects thousands of people in Africa. Still, with the elimination of this debilitating disease in sight, a rapid diagnostic test is crucial to support VL programs in East Africa.
Dr Fongwen conducted site visits and supervision at the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8-11 May and the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, from 13-15 May 2024.
He is working with the teams on the ground to ensure the evaluations adhere to the guidelines, protocol and framework set by Africa CDC. “The data from the independent evaluation will be used to recommend the procurement of the IT-LEISH. This will form a basis for the African continent to have its mechanism to approve diagnostics that can be used for the benefit of Africans,” said Dr Yenew Kebede, Head, Division of Laboratory Systems, Africa CDC.
