Global Perspectives on Neglected Tropical Diseases: Burden, Science, and Policy Interventions

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Guest Editor
Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: global health; neglected tropical diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious and parasitic diseases, including vector-borne diseases, that disproportionately affect the health of the world’s poorest and most marginalized populations. Despite their importance, NTDs often receive insufficient attention and funding from research and development, academia, and public health policy and control. This Special Issue of the journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease aims to fill this critical gap by bringing together broad multidisciplinary research and perspectives to examine the evolving landscape of NTD capacity development, disease burden, scientific discovery and development, and policy and control interventions. The focus of this Special Issue is to highlight the need to reassess current tools and strategies and to identify innovative approaches to better prevent, manage, or eliminate these diseases.

We welcome original contributions from basic biological science, clinical or population-based studies, reports, field experiences, and commentaries on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, control strategies, and prevention of NTDs. Equally important are contributions addressing health systems, community engagement, socioeconomic determinants, the One Health approach, and the role of climate change in shaping disease patterns.

The goal is to deepen our understanding of NTDs in a global context and to stimulate action through evidence-informed policymaking and science implementation by sharing scientific evidence and real-life experiences. Contributors are invited to participate in this important dialogue and help shape the future of NTD control and elimination worldwide.

Dr. Fabio Zicker
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • neglected tropical diseases
  • public health
  • vector-borne diseases
  • global health
  • community-based interventions
  • infectious and parasitic vaccine development
  • infectious and parasitic diagnosis and treatment
  • disease control strategies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 788 KB  
Article
A Randomised, Parallel-Group Study to Compare the Efficacy of 3% Phenothrin-Containing Jigger Lotion Versus Potassium Permanganate for Treatment of Tungiasis in Vihiga County, Kenya
by Kana Suzuki, Asiko Ongaya, Evans Amukoye and Yasuhiko Kamiya
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11020047 - 9 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, results in itching and pain. Effective treatments, such as dimeticones, are often unaffordable. A 3% phenothrin lotion has shown safety and efficacy in Kenyan trials. This study compared the cure rate and safety of [...] Read more.
Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, results in itching and pain. Effective treatments, such as dimeticones, are often unaffordable. A 3% phenothrin lotion has shown safety and efficacy in Kenyan trials. This study compared the cure rate and safety of 3% phenothrin lotion (as the intervention) and 0.05% potassium permanganate (KMnO4; as the standard-care comparator) over 14 days. This parallel-group, three-arm, non-blinded, randomised comparative trial was conducted in Vihiga County, Kenya. Participants aged ≥2 years with ≥1 viable flea on each foot were allocated (2:1:1) to KMnO4, single-dose 3% phenothrin, or two-dose 3% phenothrin groups. Overall, 415 fleas from 79 participants were followed up to day 14 (KMnO4, 213; single-dose, 129; two-dose, 73). On days 4 and 7, the single-dose phenothrin showed significantly higher cure rates (11.6% and 21.7%) than KMnO4 (0.9% and 11.7%) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013). The differences diminished by days 10 and 14 because of spontaneous flea death. The cure rate of the two-dose group on day-7 (8.2%) was lower than that of the single-dose group. Single-dose 3% phenothrin improved early cure rates compared to KMnO4, but not by days 10–14; two-dose phenothrin showed no benefit compared with single dose from day 7 onwards. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 1101 KB  
Review
Clinical Protocols for the Initial Evaluation and Follow-Up of Patients with Chronic Chagas Disease: A Proposal for Referral Centers
by Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno, Ana Cristina Ribeiro Rohem, Andrea Rodrigues da Costa, Andréa Silvestre de Sousa, Fernanda de Souza Nogueira Sardinha Mendes, Fernanda Martins Carneiro, Flavia Mazzoli-Rocha, Gilberto Marcelo Sperandio da Silva, Henrique Horta Veloso, Luciana Fernandes Portela, Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis, Marcelo Teixeira de Holanda, Paula Simplicio da Silva, Roberto Magalhães Saraiva, Sergio Salles Xavier and Mauro Felippe Felix Mediano
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11010003 - 20 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) remains a major global health challenge and requires standardized, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based clinical approaches. This article aims to present and systematize the model of clinical routines developed at the Clinical Research Laboratory on Chagas Disease (Lapclin-Chagas), INI/Fiocruz, for the initial [...] Read more.
Chagas disease (CD) remains a major global health challenge and requires standardized, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based clinical approaches. This article aims to present and systematize the model of clinical routines developed at the Clinical Research Laboratory on Chagas Disease (Lapclin-Chagas), INI/Fiocruz, for the initial evaluation and longitudinal follow-up of patients with chronic CD. The proposal is intended to serve as a replicable and adaptable framework for referral centers in both endemic and non-endemic settings. Using a descriptive qualitative design, institutional protocols, national and international guidelines, and expert consultations were analyzed to construct a comprehensive care model. The resulting protocol integrates diagnostic pathways (including dual serological confirmation and clinical staging), criteria for etiological treatment, and coordinated multidisciplinary follow-up involving cardiology, gastroenterology, pharmaceutical care, nutrition, psychology, and social support. Specific pathways are also presented for Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi)/HIV coinfection, laboratory accidents, and monitoring of adverse reactions to benznidazole. By consolidating more than three decades of institutional experience into operational workflows, this proposal offers an innovative contribution to the organization of CD care and provides actionable guidance for health systems seeking to improve diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic adherence, patient safety, and long-term outcomes. Full article
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