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Neglected Tropical Diseases

NIAID Research Targets NTDs

NIAID has a robust program of research devoted to better understanding, preventing, and treating NTDs. Studies conducted and supported by NIAID have led to important new discoveries about the microbes that cause NTDs, the identification of targets for potential new drugs and vaccines, and the development of strategies for controlling the organisms that transmit NTD-causing agents to humans.

Read more about NIAID’s Role in NTD Research.

Highlights

  • Examples of NTDs
  • NTD Workshop Summary: Identifying Research Gaps and Opportunities (PDF)
  • NIAID Researchers Take Aim at Filarial Infections
  • Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and leishmaniasis take a tremendous toll on global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over one billion people—approximately one-sixth of the world's population—suffer from at least one NTD.

    NTDs are called “neglected” because they generally afflict the world’s poor and historically have not received as much attention as other diseases. NTDs tend to thrive in developing regions of the world, where water quality, sanitation, and access to health care are substandard. However, some of these diseases also are found in areas of the United States with high rates of poverty.

    While NTDs rarely lead to death, they can cause significant disability that persists for a lifetime. They can cause fatigue, blindness, and disfigurement. Sufferers miss school, are unable to work, or are too embarrassed to seek medical care. By diminishing quality of life and opportunities to succeed, NTDs can reinforce the cycle of poverty among the world’s disadvantaged populations.

    one stage of the life cycle of Brugia malayi diagram
    View an illustration of the life cycle of Brugia malayi, one of the parasitic worms that cause lymphatic filariasis.

    News Releases

    Seizures Following Parasitic Infection Associated with Brain Swelling—Nov. 3, 2008

    Researchers Find Leishmaniasis Parasites Evade Death by Exploiting the Immune Response to Sand Fly Bites—Aug. 14, 2008

    Scientists Identify New Leads for Treating Parasitic Worm Disease—March 16, 2008

    Neglected Tropical Diseases Burden Those Overseas, But Travelers Also at Risk—Dec. 26, 2007

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    Research Feature

    A micrograph of a rat blood smear revealing Trypanosoma brucei parasites. Infected tsetse flies spread trypanosome parasites to humans, causing African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness.

    Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, afflicts tens of thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Read about the efforts of NIAID-funded scientists to stop transmission of this disease.

    Volunteer for Clinical Studies
    Volunteer for clinical studies related to neglected tropical diseases on ClinicalTrials.gov.

    Related Links

    Parasitic Diseases (CDC)

    Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (WHO)

    See Also

  • Ascariasis
  • Hookworm
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)
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    Research Feature

    A micrograph of a rat blood smear revealing Trypanosoma brucei parasites. Infected tsetse flies spread trypanosome parasites to humans, causing African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness.

    Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, afflicts tens of thousands of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Read about the efforts of NIAID-funded scientists to stop transmission of this disease.

    Volunteer for Clinical Studies
    Volunteer for clinical studies related to neglected tropical diseases on ClinicalTrials.gov.

    Related Links

    Parasitic Diseases (CDC)

    Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (WHO)

    See Also

  • Ascariasis
  • Hookworm
  • Leishmaniasis
  • Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)