Evaluation of Point-of-care Tests for the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Afghanistan

Point of Care Tests for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Prospective Evaluation of LoopampTM and CL DetectTM Rapid Test for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Diagnosis in Afghanistan

New point-of-care (POC) tests are needed and assessing the performance of these tests for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Afghanistan may help increasing the number of CL patients with access to accurate diagnosis, and enable prompt treatment. Simpler tests could improve treatment access and benefit patients and communities, by reducing the risk of sequelae and the risk of disease transmission. CLeishPOCAFG aims to advance the diagnosis of CL by using more accurate and field-amenable methods.

The investigators enrolled 274 CL suspects in the study to determine the diagnostic performance of LoopampTM Leishmania Detection Kit and CL DetectTM Rapid Test for CL diagnosis in Afghanistan. The study was conducted at the National Malaria & Leishmaniasis Control Program (NMLCP) Leishmaniasis Clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical signs compatible with cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Age ≥ than two years old.
• Informed consent obtained and documented.
• Clinical samples can be obtained.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than two years old.
• Failure to obtain and document informed consent.
• Cutaneous leishmaniasis suspects from whom, for any reason, the required clinical samples needed for the study cannot be obtained.
• Patients already receiving CL treatment at the time of enrolment.