Mycetoma: A global medical and socio-economic dilemma

Mycetoma is a common neglected tropical disease, endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions (Fig 1). Despite its distressing deformities, disability, high morbidly and negative socioeconomic impacts on patients, communities and health authorities it enjoys meagre national and international attention and recognition [1]. To date, the actual disease incidence and prevalence and infection route are not well characterised, likewise, its susceptibility, resistance and response to medical treatment. This has been reflected on the available treatment and control modalities which proved to be ineffective. A major problem in mycetoma is that the most of the patients are of poor socio-economic and health education status and hence the late presentation, poor treatment compliance and high follow-up dropout rates. The lack of national and international attentiveness and awareness on the disease has led to a massive knowledge gap in mycetoma that had significantly and adversely affected patient care and management and proper planning for mycetoma preventative measures [2,3,4]. Mycetoma like other neglected tropical diseases needs attention. This attention is necessary for conducting basic and clinical research. The result of this research is important to improve patients’ treatment outcomes and reduce their suffering. This research provides updated information on the disease burden to patch the knowledge gap in mycetoma. Equally to raise the community awareness and to bring the treatment near to patient’s residence [3]. Accordingly, the following improvement options have been identified to address the abovementioned dimensions of the mycetoma problems, and these are: