Promoting and coordinating operational research on yaws

WHO promotes and coordinates operational research aimed at improving eradication strategy. In doing so, WHO works with academic and research institutions in carrying out research that have been identified as priorities by national programmes.

WHO together with experts have identified some key research questions that should be addressed alongside the implementation of the eradication strategy.  

• Mass Drug Administration (MDA): What is the optimal number of rounds of MDA required to interrupt transmission? How can programmes decide when to move between Total Community Treatment (TCT) and Total Targeted Treatment (TTT) based strategies? Can targeted strategies such as additional rounds of school based MDA complement community based strategies?
• Mapping: Which countries whose current endemicity status is unknown are still endemic for yaws? How many districts within the known endemic countries need intervention? What is the optimal sampling strategy that should be used when assessing for evidence of ongoing transmission?
• Dual path platform (treponemal and non-treponemal) test (DPP): Can DPP replace traditional serological tests as a test of cure? Should serological follow-up be assessed at 6 or 12 months? What is the accuracy / additional value of digital test readers compared to qualitative / by-eye readings
• Interruption of transmission: What sampling strategy should be used when assessing for evidence of interruption of transmission? What does the population serological profile look like in settings where yaws has been eliminated? Can we distinguish this from areas with ongoing minimal transmission
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): What surveillance strategies can detect treatment failure early? How can molecular tests for AMR best be utilised to detect AMR considering cost, turn-around time and accuracy?