Other infectious diseases

1. Tropical Neglected Diseases:
   Neglected tropical diseases are diseases affecting mainly the poorest, rural populations of the developing world. Most of these diseases have little recognition in the industrialized world, even though they cause severe disability and have a very significant social and economical impact on affected populations. Tropical neglected diseases represent the fourth most important group of communicable diseases worldwide (following respectively lower respiratory infection, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases).


• Schistosomiasis:For this helminthic disease, only a small number of treatment options are available, with resistance against these drugs being observed in several places. New medication, active against all Schistosoma spp as well as against all human forms, is urgently needed
  http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/schisto/default.htm



• Leishmaniasis: This protozoan parasite can be tackled with a small number of drugs, that tend to have very long treatment periods, can have major side effects, and are usually administered intravenously. One oral drug is available, however, fear of resistance is the basis of research into new compounds.
  http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/leish/default.htm



• Trypanosomiasis: African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a disease in 2 phases. The acute phase can be treated with 2 different drugs, however these are long treatments, IV, and can have side effects. The chronic phase, which occurs when the parasite enters the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, is very difficult to treat since the drugs need to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. There are not many treatment options. The drugs available can either cause major side effects, including meningoencephalitis and death, or are very expensive, and thus not affordable by most of those in need.
  http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/tryp/default.htm



• Chagas Disease (South-American Trypanosomiasis): As another form of the Trypanosoma spp, however not at all comparable to its African variant, Chagas Disease is very difficult to treat, especially in the chronic phases, for which no treatment options are currently available. For the acute phases, 2 treatment options are available, however do not always reach the people who need it most.
  http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/chagas/default.htm



• Buruli Ulcer: This Mycobacterium species is very resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotics are sometimes used to reduce the surgery required, but surgery is the main treatment form for these patients. Apart from bone deformities that may be caused by the mycobacterium, it is a very crippling disease, because the large skin grafts are needed, which can cause major scar tissue as well as contractures, leaving the patients debilitated and incapable of physical day to day activities.



2. Infectious diseases:



• Tuberculosis: New and effective drugs are needed because of rising resistance of this mycobacterium to existing antibiotic therapies. Very long treatment periods are required, which is problematic for compliance.



• Toxoplasmosis: A couple of treatment options (antibiotics) are available for acute toxoplasmosis, however the cysts found in latent cases are resistant to these drugs. For the latent form, not many options are available, however 2 antibiotics seem to have an effect. Specific drugs are needed that can effectively target the parasite in both forms in the human body.