Mycetoma is a debilitating neglected tropical disease (NTD) that primarily affects impoverished rural communities across the so-called ‘mycetoma belt,’ including regions of the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. It can lead to severe physical disabilities, requiring invasive surgeries like excision or amputation. Beyond its physical toll, mycetoma also causes significant socioeconomic and psychological harm.

Although mycetoma was recognized as an NTD by the World Health Organization in 2016, there is still limited data on its true prevalence. Existing studies often underestimate its burden because mycetoma is not a reportable disease in most endemic countries, and it affects populations with poor access to healthcare.

A lack of essential data on the burden and distribution of mycetoma poses a major obstacle to both effective disease control and the development of new treatments. In collaboration with our partners, DNDi is addressing these data gaps by conducting epidemiological studies in endemic regions of Africa and Asia, including through a cross-sectional community-based study in Ethiopia.

This retrospective study aims to fill existing knowledge gaps by reviewing hospital records in India and Senegal. The goal is to generate crucial data on the burden, distribution, clinical presentation, and current management of mycetoma to inform research and prevention efforts and support planning for a new clinical trial for fosravuconazole, a promising new treatment being developed by DNDi and partners. The study will review medical, laboratory, and radiological records for mycetoma cases, assessing the causes, characterizing clinical management—including diagnostic methods and medical and surgical treatments—and evaluating patient outcomes for each case.

Approximately 25 hospitals and labs per country, the majority of which are tertiary care hospitals and teaching institutes/hospitals, are expected to serve as study sites. The eight advanced mycology regional reference centers (MycoNet) established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are also expected to serve as study sites. Study sites will be recruited and selected so that all regions of each country are represented. In Senegal, hospitals in the regions of Saint-Louis, Louga, and Matam (northern Senegal), as well as Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, and Thies (central Senegal), will be invited to participate. Hospitals and laboratories that serve as reference centres in Dakar will also be invited to participate.

Although the study has no defined sample size, it is expected that at least 800 cases will be analysed in each country.