Diagnosing and monitoring drug response in madurella mycetomatis, the most common causative agent of eumycetoma

Mycetoma is an infectious neglected tropical disease characterized by inflammation, tumor-like lesions and discharge of grains endemic in tropical countries. Mycetoma being a neglected tropical disease is characterized by poor diagnosis, genotyping and treatment. Following the recognition of mycetoma by WHO in 2016 as a neglected tropical disease, a lot of research to find a better treatment is currently being undertaken. However, to find an efficacious treatment, several shortcomings in the routine management of eumycetoma in terms of diagnosis, typing, treatment, and therapeutic monitoring need to be resolved.
In this thesis, we validated the available diagnostic tools to identify causative agents and developed a better molecular typing method (MmySTR) in an effort to identify the natural niche. In addition, we proposed a new predictor of clinical outcome and developed a new easy-to-use assay for in vitro susceptibility testing. Furthermore, we identified potential new compounds for the treatment of eumycetoma. Finally, we identified and validated the use of a serological biomarker to monitor the treatment of eumycetoma.