In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr Michael Frimpong, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has developed an innovative diagnostic tool that is set to transform the detection and treatment of Buruli ulcer, a devastating neglected tropical disease (NTD).
The innovative solution technology is the first of its kind in the sub-saharan region with the potential to improve diagnosis, to ensure early treatment, and patient outcomes for Buruli ulcer cases in Ghana and beyond, Dr Frimpong told The Ghanaian Times in an exclusive interview in Kumasi.
Buruli ulcer endemic area
Buruli ulcer is a chronic debilitating skin disease, caused by a bacterium that multiplies in skins and reported in 33 tropical African countries including Ghana, that can lead to permanent disfigurement and long-term disability.
Ghana records a few hundreds of cases each year, with as many as 50 per cent in children younger than 15 years.
The neglected tropical disease is endemic in 10 of the 16 regions, afflicts many communities in Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Central and western regions, Dr Frimpong disclosed.
The ‘Mobile Suitcase Lab’
Dubbed the “Mobile Suitcase Lab,” this game-changing technology brings the power of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing directly to the field or the patient.
Housed in a compact, portable suitcase, the Mobile Suitcase Lab combines PCR with other essential diagnostic devices.
The about $10,000.00 sleek, user-friendly design, enables healthcare workers to conduct rapid, accurate testing in even the most remote areas – a far cry from the traditional laboratory-based PCR testing.
It is able to give the diagnosis close to the patient within a period of an hour instead of several days with the traditional laboratory system.
The lab’s development is part of KCCR’s efforts to combat Buruli ulcer, which has been reported in various regions of the country.
“By bringing diagnostic testing to the point of care, we can significantly reduce the time between sample collection and diagnosis, ultimately saving lives, Dr Frimpong indicated.
With the Mobile Suitcase Lab, he said, “we can now conduct on-site testing, eliminating the need for lengthy sample transportation and laboratory processing”.
He said the streamlined approach would not only accelerate diagnosis but also enable timely treatment, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes.
“The Mobile Suitcase Lab is designed to bridge the gap of suspecting that this patient has this condition and the time it takes for confirmation to be given, to have an easy intervention so that patients don’t develop big ulcers which normally lead to disability,” he said.
He disclosed that though the tool had been designed for Buruli ulcers, it could effectively be used to support clinical diagnosis of some outbreaks and mentioned its use during the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic.
Research background
According to Dr Frimpong, his interest into Buruli ulcer research started when he visited endemic communities (Agroyesum, Ananekrom in Asante Akim etc) where he saw the devastating nature of the disease among children aged below 15 years.
“I realised it was directly linked with poverty and felt to learn more about the disease to see how I can use research to solve the problem.
“And now, this is my contribution towards the global efforts, having a diagnostic test tool to use close to the patients to know their problems early to give treatment,” he added.
Dr Frimpong’s profile
Dr Frimpong doubles as a lecturer at the Department of Molecular Medicine, KNUST, working on developing and implementing novel and innovative diagnostic tests for detecting emerging and endemic infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.
He holds a PhD in Immunology from the KNUST and a Postgraduate Certificate in Molecular Diagnostics from the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich.
Since 2014, he has contributed considerably to the understanding and development of new diagnostic tools and treatment for NTDs particularly Buruli ulcer with several peer-reviewed articles on the topic in high-impact journals.
In partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies such as the American Leprosy Mission (ALM) and the German Leprosy and Relief Association (GLRA), he has supported the implementation of diagnostic networks in Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria providing technical support, including quality assurance programmes for diagnosis of Buruli ulcer and other NTDs.
He is a member of the WHO NTD Diagnostic Advisory Group (DTAG) and Network of Skin NTDs PCR Laboratories in the WHO African Region (BU LABNET Africa) and also serves on the Network’s Expert Panel.
Dr Frimpong is a recipient of several grants, including the prestigious European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) grant for early career scientists, the African Researchers’ Small Grant Program (SGPII) from the African Network of Neglected Tropical Diseases, and the Research Networks for Health Innovation in sub-Saharan Africa (RHISSA) and the African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI).
APTI, a flagship programme of the African Academy of Sciences, aims to develop Africa’s research capacity by training early-career scientists and equipping APTI fellows with the tools to address global health challenges and drive innovation in their home countries.
APTI fellows are trained and supported to become scientific leaders who can advocate for increased research and innovation projects in Africa.
Currently, Dr Frimpong leads a team of young scientists at KCCR as a trainer for the next generation, thanks to the support of the African Academy of Sciences.
He is full of praise for the Director of the KCCR, Prof. Richard Philips, for mentorship.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
