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A Call to Action for Mycetoma

  • Epidemiology of Fungal Infections (T Chiller and JW Baddley, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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A Correction to this article was published on 20 November 2018

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Here, we discuss the current needs and priorities for mycetoma control and prevention, highlight lessons learned from leprosy and podoconiosis, and motivate an urgent need to accelerate progress toward reducing the burden of mycetoma in endemic areas.

Recent Findings

In 2015, the World Health Assembly (WHA) added mycetoma, a progressively debilitating disease caused by fungi and bacteria, to the World Health Organization (WHO) list of priority neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Designation of other diseases as NTDs has raised awareness, enabled global partnerships, and advanced the capacity to combat disease through integrated programming. Although key mycetoma etiologic agents have been identified, many questions remain and mycetoma may similarly benefit from NTD designation.

Summary

In collaboration with experts at WHO and elsewhere, we formed a global mycetoma working group to connect partners from a variety of sectors and specialties. We envision that this group will evolve into a formalized partnership that can prioritize strategic planning, advocacy, and research needs, identify funding sources, and coordinate activities related to mycetoma and other NTDs affecting the skin. The experiences gained from other NTDs can help to guide the global mycetoma working group’s activities to better address the goals set forth in the WHA resolution.

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Change history

  • 20 November 2018

    In the previously published “A Call to Action for Mycetoma,” the title did not accurately reflect the content scope. Therefore, the title should read as “Pressing Priorities for Mycetoma Control and Prevention” (as shown above).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Karlyn D. Beer, Brendan R. Jackson & Tom Chiller

  2. Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    David D. Blaney, Melissa Kadzik, William Bower & Henry Walke

  3. Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

    Kingsley B. Asiedu

  4. Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Wun-Ju Shieh

Authors
  1. Karlyn D. Beer
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  2. David D. Blaney
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Correspondence to Karlyn D. Beer.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epidemiology of Fungal Infections

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Beer, K.D., Blaney, D.D., Kadzik, M. et al. A Call to Action for Mycetoma. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 12, 99–104 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-018-0317-x

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