Abstract
Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue. The WHO has launched a worldwide control programme, which aims to eradicate yaws by 2020. The development of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for serological diagnosis in the isolated communities affected by yaws is a key requirement for the successful implementation of the WHO strategy. We conducted a study to evaluate the utility of the DPP test in screening for yaws, utilizing samples collected as part of a community prevalence survey conducted in the Solomon Islands. 415 serum samples were tested using both traditional syphilis serology (TPPA and quantitative RPR) and the Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen and Confirm RDT. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the RDT as compared to gold standard serology. The sensitivity of the RDT against TPPA was 58.5% and the specificity was 97.6%. The sensitivity of the RDT against RPR was 41.7% and the specificity was 95.2%. The sensitivity of the DPP was strongly related to the RPR titre with a sensitivity of 92.0% for an RPR titre of >1/16. Wider access to DPP testing would improve our understanding of worldwide yaws case reporting and the test may play a key role in assessing patients presenting with yaws like lesions in a post-mass drug administration (MDA) setting.
Highlights
Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue (T. pertenue) [1] which is currently thought to be endemic in fourteen countries [2]
The WHO has launched a worldwide campaign to eradicate yaws by 2020. If this goal is to be achieved, programme managers and clinical staff will need access to a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for yaws that can be used in the remote communities where the disease is found
We present data evaluating one possible RDT for yaws as part of a community survey in the Solomon Islands
Summary
Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue (T. pertenue) [1] which is currently thought to be endemic in fourteen countries [2]. The emergence of azithromycin as an effective oral agent in the treatment of yaws [3] has prompted renewed calls for a coordinated worldwide programme to eradicate the disease by 2020 [4]. Despite this optimism there are significant barriers still to be overcome. Failure to adequately treat latent cases was one of the reasons for the failure of previous attempts to eliminate yaws [8]. Detection and treatment of these latent cases will be extremely important if the WHO eradication programme is to achieve its target
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
