Development of a Rapid Diagnostic Test to Identify Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever - Research and Development Testing

Background Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a rare disease with a death rate between 10% and 50%, rising to 80% during outbreaks. There are no approved drugs or vaccines, and existing treatments only work if given early. Current diagnosis is slow (2-5 days), delaying treatment, increasing risks, and heightening the chance of other people being infected. The WHO has prioritized developing rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to address these issues.

In regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan, delayed diagnosis is especially dangerous, particularly for pregnant women who cannot access emergency care until results are available. To tackle this, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and Global Access Diagnostics (GADx) have created an RDT prototype to detect CCHF viral antigens. Initial testing in Türkiye (2024) showed promising accuracy, meeting WHO's basic standards but further testing is needed to confirm its reliability, especially with fresh samples.

Aims This study will evaluate the RDT using 200 fresh blood and serum samples during the 2025 CCHF season in Türkiye (Sivas and Samsun). If the test meets WHO standards, a clinical trial with 492 patients in CCHF-endemic areas of Türkiye will follow in 2026 to support regulatory approval (CE IVDR and UKCA certification).

Methods Researchers will test 200 fresh samples for diagnostic accuracy and evaluate the impact of storage conditions. This study aims to improve the test's accuracy and stability. Success will advance the development of a fast, reliable diagnostic tool for better CCHF detection and patient care in affected regions.