Clinical Research Directory

Early Detection and AI-Based Management of Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa by Frontline Health Workers

Skin-related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin NTDs) affect about 1.8 billion people worldwide, particularly in poor and rural communities where healthcare access is limited. Many people rely on frontline health workers (FHWs) for treatment, but these workers often lack specialized training in skin diseases, making diagnosis difficult. To address this challenge, the SkincAIr project is testing whether a mobile app powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can help FHWs improve their ability to detect Skin NTDs. The study will be conducted in two arms. In the first clinical image data collection arm (36 months), dermatologists in 5 countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria) will collect images of skin NTD and other skin conditions that will be used for development and training of the AI model within the SkincAIr app before it is tested among FHWs. The second validation study arm will take place in 3 countries (Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal), and will involve 50 FHWs and around 750 patients in each country over 24 months. During the first 12 months (Phase A), FHWs will diagnose patients using standard methods without the app, establishing baseline performance on key indicators including diagnostic accuracy, time to diagnosis, referral patterns, and cost implications of improved primary-level diagnosis. For the following 6 months (Phase B), FHWs will use the SkincAIr app with AI functionality activated to support diagnosis and enable real-time geolocated disease mapping and hotspot identification. In the final 6 months (Phase C), the app is withdrawn to assess whether FHWs retain their improved diagnostic skills. We will summarize the results using simple numbers and charts to show how often things happen and what the average results look like. Researchers will evaluate how well the app improves diagnosis by FHWs and whether FHWs retain their improved skills even after AI support is removed, by comparing their results with those of a skin specialist (dermatologist). Interviews and group discussions will be recorded, written down, organized into key ideas, and carefully reviewed using a computer program to understand the main themes. Study findings will be shared with National Ministries of Health, presented at local and international conferences, and reported to relevant institutional and regulatory authorities. If successful, this AI tool could boost early detection of skin diseases, enhance disease tracking, and improve healthcare in underserved areas.

Ciprofloxacin Intralesional Injection for the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Compared to Sodium Stibogluconate

The Aim of the trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional ciprofloxacin 0.2% solution as a local injection in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis and compare its effect with intralesional sodium stibogluconate (SSG) 10% intravenous solution in cutaneous leishmaniasis as a local injection. In a randomized parallel groups clinical trial, patients were divided into two groups based on therapeutic regimen: 1) intralesional sodium stibogluconate weekly injection and 2) intralesional ciprofloxacin injection. Each lesion was considered a case in the final analysis. Each lesion will be followed up for 90 days (censor endpoint) or until the lesions are cured.

Intralesional Injection of Levofloxacin for the Management of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Aim of the study to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional levofloxacin 0.5% solution as a local injection in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. In an open-label single-arm clinical trial, all patients were given intralesional levofloxacin injections; the patients had cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. Each lesion was considered a case in the final analysis. Each lesion will be followed up for 90 days (censor endpoint) or until the lesions are cured. Intralesional levofloxacin (5 mg/ml, 100 ml, Tavanic®, Sanofi, France) will be injected into each lesion based on its size (5 mg/cm2). The infiltration of intralesional dose will be given once weekly for up to 6 weeks. Treatment will be stopped in patients cured before 6 weeks of treatment. A fine insulin needle will be used to infiltrate the lesion.

Pilot Study: Miltefosine Gel (G-MTF) in Patients With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the drug MILTEFOSINE, used topically in a hydrogel, works to treat non-complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in adults. It will also learn about the safety of the drug MILTEFOSINE used topically. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is topical treatment with MILTEFOSINE hydrogel effective in patients with CL, thus justifying its continuation in the clinical phases (II and III) of development? * What skin problems do participants have when using miltefosine hydrogels over CL lesions? Researchers will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various concentrations of MILTEFOSINE hydrogel: 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%. Participants will: * Apply the MILTEFOSINE hydrogel to the affected lesions daily for 28 consecutive days. * Visit the Center at least two days prior to the study. This initial visit will include diagnostic tests, interviews, study information, informed consent, and the administration of the first doses. After this, patients are required to return to the clinic on day 28 and again three months later for additional check-ups and tests. * Take a photo once a week for checkups, and keep a note of their symptoms

Intralesional Injection of Metronidazole for the Management of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Aim of the study to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional metronidazole 0.5% solution as a local injection in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. In an open-label single-arm clinical trial, all patients will be given intralesional levofloxacin injections; the patients had cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. Each lesion will be considered a case in the final analysis. Each lesion will be followed up for 90 days (censor endpoint) or until the lesions are cured. Intralesional metronidazole (5 mg/ml, 100 ml, Flagyl®, Sanofi, France) will be injected into each lesion based on its size (5 mg/cm2). The infiltration of intralesional dose will be given once weekly for up to 6 weeks. Treatment will be stopped in patients cured before 6 weeks of treatment, and patients will be only asked to come for lesion assessment. A fine insulin needle will be used to infiltrate the lesion.

Feasibility of Integrating Thermotherapy for Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Primary Health Care Setup

This study will look at how practical it is to use thermotherapy (TT) as a treatment for skin(cutaneous) leishmaniasis (CL) in health centers in the Sodo and South Sodo districts, Ethiopia. The main questions the investigators want to answer are: * Is it practical, acceptable, and suitable to use thermotherapy for treating skin leishmaniasis in these health centers? * How effective is thermotherapy in treating skin leishmaniasis in this setting? Health centers that do not offer thermotherapy will be used as a comparison group. Patients with CL in these areas will be monitored for up to 3 months before being sent to centers that provide thermotherapy. Participants will be checked at a nearby health center to see if they meet the criteria for the study and then recruited. Patients with skin lesions will receive thermotherapy using the ThermoMed device, which heats the area to 50°C for 30 seconds. Their progress will be checked every 4 weeks until day 90. Depending on how well they respond, thermotherapy may be repeated at 4 or 8 weeks.