The Use of Dried Matrix Spots as an Alternative Sampling Technique for Monitoring Neglected Tropical Diseases

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of illnesses which usually present with a chronic clinical picture. NTDs can lead to permanent disability and are often associated with social stigma. In many developing countries where NTDs are endemic, there are no diagnostic tools for the safe storage and transport of biological samples, and there are no specialist diagnostic centers where the samples could be processed. The transport of biological samples (blood, urine) collected in field conditions and brought to laboratories located in developed countries requires the maintenance of the cold chain during transportation. Ensuring temperature control during transport could be problematic or even impossible to achieve; it is also expensive. A helpful solution to this problem is to use the dried matrix spot (DMS) technique, which seems to be a reliable method for collecting biological samples to be used for screening purposes and conducting epidemiological surveillance of NTDs in developing countries. This article is an overview of how DMSs can be used in the diagnosis of most neglected tropical diseases.