Skin diseases are the third most prevalent cause of illness and one of the top 10 causes of disability. Of the 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including the recently added noma (cancrum oris), more than half present with skin manifestations and are often associated with long-term disability, stigmatization and mental health problems. The so-called skin NTDs include Buruli ulcer, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, mycetoma, noma, yaws, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis and scabies. The skin NTDs all require similar detection and case-management approaches that present opportunities for integration, which both increases cost–effectiveness and expands coverage.
The Network started as the Buruli ulcer PCR laboratories (BU-LABNET), created in 2019 by the World Health Organization. Activities of the Network have expanded to include cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, mycetoma and yaws and other laboratories to reflect the diversity of the diseases. Due to these changes, the Network has changed its name to Skin NTDs Laboratory Network (Skin NTD LABNET). The Pasteur Centre of Cameroon will remain the overall coordinating centre for the Network, with other laboratories specializing in one of the diseases serving as the satellite center of the Network.
Membership
The current membership is based on the original Buruli ulcer network and consists of 12 laboratories from nine endemic countries (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo).
Criteria for membership
Requirements for inclusion into the Network will be as follows:
- laboratory/institution in a country with a burden of any of the integrated diseases;
- country has reported cases for the previous 5 years; and
- laboratory/institution is equipped with an appropriate molecular diagnostic platform (Real-time PCR).
Partnership
The Network is supported by WHO, American Leprosy Missions (USA), the Anesvad Foundation (Spain) and the Raoul Follereau Foundation (France). Its established primary goal was to enhance the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer using standardized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing protocols and external quality assessment programmes. Notably, BU-LABNET envisions expanding its molecular platform to include additional skin NTDs and laboratories, thereby optimizing cost–effectiveness and increasing access to quality-assured diagnosis.
Available resources
Meeting reports
Report of the fifth annual meeting of the network of Buruli ulcer PCR laboratories...
Fourth annual meeting of the network of Buruli ulcer PCR laboratories in the WHO African Region, Mundi...
In October 2019, WHO convened the first meeting of the Buruli ulcer laboratory network (BU-LABNET) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, bringing together...
First meeting of the network on Buruli ulcer PCR laboratories in the WHO African Region
Buruli ulcer is caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans. The disease is reported in more than 33 countries worldwide, but only about half of these...
Research articles
Multi-centric evaluation of Biomeme Franklin Mobile qPCR for rapid detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans in clinical specimens
A combined effort of 11 laboratories in the WHO African region to improve quality of Buruli ulcer PCR diagnosis: The "BU-LABNET"
Harmonized SOPs
To resolve PCR procedure ambiguity issues and to ensure sustainability, testing protocols were successfully harmonized and standardized during the first meeting in October 2019. Every laboratory in the network would use the same testing procedure and same reagents for PCR diagnosis.
Contact the Skin NTD Laboratory Network
Coordinator
Dr Sara Eyangoh
Coordinating Center, Pasteur Center of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Program Manager
Mr. Hycenth Numfor
Coordinating Center, Pasteur Center of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases
Dr Kingsley Asiedu
WHO - Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
