Towards a comprehensive research and development plan to support the control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases.

David Mabey,Leda Hernandez,Ellen Agler,Eric Ottesen,Andrew Steer,T Déirdre Hollingsworth,Richard O Phillips,Soumya Swaminathan,John H Amuasi,Patrick J Lammie,Sultani H Matendechero,Célia Landmann Szwarcwald,Peter J Hotez,Mwelecele N Malecela,John C Reeder,Joseph P Shott,Anthony W Solomon

doi:10.1093/trstmh/traa114

Abstract

To maximise the likelihood of success, global health programmes need repeated, honest appraisal of their own weaknesses, with research undertaken to address any identified gaps. There is still much to be learned to optimise work against neglected tropical diseases. To facilitate that learning, a comprehensive research and development plan is required. Here, we discuss how such a plan might be developed.

Highlights

To have confidence that elimination targets have been met, large numbers of people (and, in the case of some vector-borne diseases, large numbers of vectors) must be tested.[11,12,13] The cost of such efforts is not insignificant.[14] New, high-throughput diagnostic tests are required, some of which will need to work efficiently at point-of-human-care or be useful for testing intermediate or reservoir hosts
Impressive progress has been made against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) since the publication of the first NTD road map[1] and the London Declaration on NTDs2 in 2012
At least one NTD has been eliminated from 40 countries, territories or areas, 500 million fewer people require interventions against NTDs3 and effective oral treatment regimens have become available for Buruli ulcer, yaws and stage 2 human African trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma gambiense.[4,5,6]

Summary

Introduction

To have confidence that elimination targets have been met, large numbers of people (and, in the case of some vector-borne diseases, large numbers of vectors) must be tested.[11,12,13] The cost of such efforts is not insignificant.[14] New, high-throughput diagnostic tests are required, some of which will need to work efficiently at point-of-human-care or be useful for testing intermediate or reservoir hosts.

Results

Conclusion