02463nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001600042653003900058653000900097653001800106653001000124653002300134653001800157100001600175700001400191700001500205700001500220245013600235856015300371300000800524490000600532520165700538022001402195       2024                            d  bElsevier BV10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aNTDs10aCell-free DNA10acfDNA10aSub-Saharan Africa10aGlobal burden1 aOsei-Poku P1 aTritten L1 aFordjour F1 aKwarteng A00aCell-free DNA as a complementary diagnostic tool for neglected tropical diseases towards achieving the WHO NTDs elimination by 2030  uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950195424001498/pdfft?md5=6be0c7a6742f1f6553965ea9103dd9bd&pid=1-s2.0-S2950195424001498-main.pdf  a1-70 v73 a<p>Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to ravage the poorest regions of the world, with over 600 million people being affected in Sub-Saharan Africa. The global burden of NTDs within these regions is staggering, particularly post-COVID-19 pandemic, where the emerging infection intercepted the existing eradication efforts and protocols such as the Mass Drug Administration (MDA). This further complicated the approaches laid down to achieve the endgame program of eliminating the neglect and transmission of NTDs. To compensate for the detriment of COVID-19's interruption, accurate and timely diagnoses play a vital role in attaining the objectives of the WHO's goal of NTD elimination by 2030. To this effect, alternative approaches in diagnostics are urgently needed, particularly with the inadequacy of current diagnostic strategies for NTDs. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has shown great promise in detecting NTDs. Several studies have demonstrated its potential for diagnosing diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis. However, the adoption of cfDNA in NTD research faces several challenges, including the cost of the procedure, standardization, and technical expertise. Proper capacity building and training can mitigate some of these challenges. However, despite these limitations, the affordability of cfDNA detection is improving due to increased awareness of the approach and researchers' integration considerations into current diagnostic routines. In conclusion, while there are challenges to adopting cfDNA in NTD research, it remains a promising alternative strategy to be considered in the fight against NTDs.</p>
  a2950-1954