Is POC-CCA a truly reliable test for schistosomiasis diagnosis in low endemic areas? The trace results controversy

In the last decade, development of point-of-care platforms (POCs) for diagnosis of infectious diseases or rapid tests (RTs) has increased in order to attend to the need for reliable diagnostic tests for surveillance of endemic areas. Also, preventive chemotherapy in areas without sophisticated resources has become more affordable according to some field studies [1,2]. The advantages of application of RTs such as POC-Schistosoma circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) are undeniable in community settings. But some evidence also pointed to other uses, like in institutional settings, by investigating active infections in susceptible populations like travelers, immigrants, and/or refugees [3,4]. Nonetheless, a great deal of discussion still remains toward the exclusive use of the RTs and/or POCs as tools for monitoring schistosomiasis in controlled areas or areas undergoing elimination. Despite the obvious advantages, the growing application of RTs has also shown some pitfalls.