Uncharted territories in skin Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) primarily affect people living in low-resource tropical areas, receiving little funding with large research gaps. Skin NTDs include Buruli ulcer, cutaneous leishmaniasis, post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, onchocerciasis, scabies, yaws, and exotic fungal diseases. These should be managed at a community and state level using an integrated approach, due to their common detection. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge concerning Skin NTDs. Some of these, such as cutaneous leishmaniasis lack precise mapping in several areas, e.g., Africa. Likewise, Buruli still does not have a clear transmission cycle, and leprosy might present reservoirs and transmission routes that were still unknown until recently.

There is also insufficient qualitative research providing guidance on the social stigma, the impact of disabilities, knowledge, and conceptions of disease in various populations.

This topic aims at providing original, innovative works in research areas concerning skin NTDs which have until now been left unexplored.

Subtopics include (list non-exhaustive):
• Gaps in the epidemiology of skin NTDs
• Underdiagnosis and underestimation of skin NTDs
• Gaps in vector & transmission knowledge notably: Buruli ulcer
and its cycle
• Atypical vectors and hosts of Leishmania
• Role of environment and animals in leprosy
• Social, economic, and psychological burden of skin NTDs
• Qualitative studies related to skin NTDs: social impact, barriers to
treatment, knowledge, attitudes & practices
• Very rare or previously unreported cases of skin NTDs