Tropical Disease News and Research

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Tropical diseases encompass all diseases that occur solely, or principally, in the tropics. In practice, the term is often taken to refer to infectious diseases that thrive in hot, humid conditions, such as malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, Chagas disease, African trypanosomiasis, and dengue.

New compound shows promise as a more effective treatment for schistosomiasis

A newly developed compound is showing promise in animal studies as a more effective treatment for human schistosomiasis, an understudied tropical disease caused by parasitic worms.

25 Mar 2024

Rapid, easy-to-use diagnostic test could save more lives from melioidosis

Globally, more than half of patients die after infection with the neglected tropical disease, melioidosis, often before they are diagnosed.

13 Mar 2024

New collaboration launched to support the development of vaccines against henipavirus

A new collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and The Pirbright Institute has been launched to support the development of vaccines against henipavirus - a genus (or group) of viruses including Nipah virus.

13 Mar 2024

Novel drug combinations could protect snakebite victims from devastating injuries

New drug combinations could protect snakebite victims from the devastating, life-changing injuries caused by toxic venom, promising new research led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine suggests.

14 Dec 2023

Drug Discovery 2023: A Conversation with Professor Janet Hemingway

We spoke to Professor Janet Hemingway, founding Director of iiCON and Professor of Tropical Medicine at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

9 Oct 2023

New study may shed light on how parasite strain diversity can impact Chagas disease progression

New research from Tulane University may shed light on how parasite strain diversity can impact Chagas disease progression and severity.

5 Sep 2023

Street theater helps educate Malawians about African sleeping sickness

"Parasite Street Science" is a recent public engagement project by Dr Nicola Veitch and a team of scientists of the University of Glasgow that uses exciting street theatre performances to educate and entertain audiences in the UK and Malawi on the subject of African Sleeping Sickness.

6 Jul 2023

Study identifies the predictors of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome symptoms

Study identifies the predictors of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome symptoms.

30 Jun 2023

Pandemic paralysis: COVID-19 halts neglected tropical disease campaigns, study reveals solutions

In a recent study published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, researchers evaluated the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on mass drug administration (MDA) programming. They also provided solutions by neglected tropical disease (NTD) stakeholders for the relaunch of MDA implementation activities.

28 Jun 2023

UCalgary researchers discover how Leishmania parasites hide within the body

University of Calgary researchers have discovered how Leishmania parasites hide within the body to cause Leishmaniasis. The tiny parasites are carried by infected sand flies.

26 Jun 2023

Understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for antimony drug resistance in Leishmania parasites

Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by parasites known as Leishmania, which are transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of more than 90 species of sand flies.

22 Jun 2023

Keynote speakers of ELRIG Drug Discovery 2023 announced

The European Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (ELRIG) UK today announced the keynote speakers for Drug Discovery 2023, taking place at the ACC in Liverpool from 18–19 October. Prof Janet Hemingway CBE, FRS, Founding Director of Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON), and Dr Dave Powell, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of LifeArc will lead this year’s event focussing on diverse thinking and new perspectives.

10 Jun 2023

ELRIG UK Announces Prof Janet Hemingway and Dr Dave Powell as Keynote Speakers at Drug Discovery 2023

ELRIG Drug Discovery 2023 at ACC Liverpool (18–19 October) to focus on diverse thinking and new perspectives.

From ELRIG (UK) Ltd. 6 Jun 2023

Crystal engineering strategy could make medicines more soluble and palatable for children

Research conducted at University of Limerick in Ireland has shown that crystal engineering can improve access to a drug used in the treatment of a tropical disease affecting millions worldwide.

3 Apr 2023

Lab-made antibodies may be able to cure people infected with yellow fever

New research from Oregon Health & Science University and collaborators indicates lab-made antibodies may be able to cure people infected with yellow fever, a virus for which there is no treatment.

29 Mar 2023

Discovery offers an avenue for development of novel therapies for Chagas disease

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects some 8 million people worldwide. More than a third develop severe heart or digestive problems with a heightened risk of death.

5 Dec 2022

Trial shows acoziborole drug clears body of African sleeping sickness parasites

Researchers evaluate the efficacy and safety of an oral antimicrobial drug acoziborole in patients with human African trypanosomiasis.

4 Dec 2022

Study shows the efficacy of new, single-dose, oral treatment for sleeping sickness

A new, single-dose, oral treatment for sleeping sickness is as effective as current treatments and could be a key factor in eliminating disease transmission by 2030, suggests a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

30 Nov 2022

New tech solution to spot disease-transmitting mosquitoes

Researchers develop technology to detect disease-transmitting mosquitoes.

25 Nov 2022

Study analyzes the risk of vector-borne Trypanosoma cruzi infection in El Salvador

One thing you might want even less than a 'kiss' from a kissing bug is its feces. Scientifically referred to as triatomine bugs, these blood-sucking insects can carry in their feces and pass on to humans the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease, a lifelong infection that takes a heavy toll on community health in poor populations, particularly in El Salvador.

16 Aug 2022