Advances in Diagnostics for Neglected Parasitic Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent in tropical or subtropical areas, primarily affecting people in communities with limited economical infrastructure. And many NTDs disproportionately affect women and children. NTDs usually have chronic infections, with long-lasting health effects that also negatively impact the social and economical well-being of those affected.

The goal of this Research Topic is to present to the NTD community an up-to-date collection of novel diagnostic assays or methods that could facilitate the monitoring and evaluation activities for parasitic NTDs, particularly highlighting onchocerciasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, chagas disease, schistosomiasis, cysticercosis, and guinea worm disease. This Research Topic will be intended to serve as a reference to all stakeholders in their quest to control or eliminate NTDs: Ministries of Health, national program officers, local or international partners including country donors, non-government organizations, WHO, and other public health agencies, the academic and industry partners that collaborate in the development of diagnostic assays for NTDs.

The goal of this Research Topic is to present to the NTD community an up-to-date collection of novel diagnostic assays or methods that could facilitate the monitoring and evaluation activities for parasitic NTDs inclusive of onchocerciasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, chagas disease, schistosomiasis, cysticercosis, and guinea worm disease. This Research Topic will be intended to serve as a reference to all stakeholders in their quest to control or eliminate NTDs: Ministries of Health, national program officers, local or international partners including country donors, non-government organizations, WHO, and other public health agencies, the academic and industry partners that collaborate in the development of diagnostic assays for NTDs.

The Research Topic will be prioritized for work that addresses current diagnostic gaps that will be beneficial in the laboratory assessments of program progress toward the elimination or control of NTDs. We welcome the submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report, and Case Report articles.

Keywords: Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis, Trachoma, Schistosomiasis, Soil Transmitted Helminths, Guinea Worm, Cysticercosis, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Chagas Disease

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.