The neuro-encephalitic stage (or stage 2) of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) is fatal if untreated, and accuracy of diagnosis and staging of infections is therefore essential. HAT diagnostic algorithms are complex and rely on outdated tests. Stage 2 diagnosis requires demonstration of parasites or inflammation in the cerebro-spinal fluid, a sample of which is obtained from patients through lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture is a dangerous and painful procedure. Current research on better and simpler HAT diagnostic tests will hopefully obviate this requirement in the years to come. See Checchi et al, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001233.
Image Credit: Robin Meldrum (Médecins Sans Frontières)
Editorial
Linking Global HIV/AIDS Treatments with National Programs for the Control and Elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001022
Viewpoints
Cystic Echinococcosis: Chronic, Complex, and Still Neglected
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001146
Policy Platform
The Struggle of Neglected Scientific Groups: Ten Years of NeTropica Efforts to Promote Research in Tropical Diseases in Central America
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001055
Leishmaniasis: Middle East and North Africa Research and Development Priorities
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001219
From Innovation to Application
Improved PCR-RFLP for the Detection of Diminazene Resistance in Trypanosoma congolense under Field Conditions Using Filter Papers for Sample Storage
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001223
Research Articles
Effects of Irritant Chemicals on Aedes aegypti Resting Behavior: Is There a Simple Shift to Untreated “Safe Sites”?
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001243
Randomized Clinical Trial on Ivermectin versus Thiabendazole for the Treatment of Strongyloidiasis
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 26, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001254
Laboratory Confirmation of Buruli Ulcer Disease in Togo, 2007–2010
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001228
Mycolactone Diffuses into the Peripheral Blood of Buruli Ulcer Patients - Implications for Diagnosis and Disease Monitoring
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001237
Effect of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections on Physical Fitness of School Children in Côte d'Ivoire
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001239
Lymphatic Filariasis: A Method to Identify Subclinical Lower Limb Change in PNG Adolescents
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001242
Clinical and Virological Factors Influencing the Performance of a NS1 Antigen-Capture Assay and Potential Use as a Marker of Dengue Disease Severity
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001244
Emergence of a Globally Dominant IncHI1 Plasmid Type Associated with Multiple Drug Resistant Typhoid
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001245
Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis Reveals Profound Genetic Diversity among Isolates of the Human Pathogen Bartonella bacilliformis
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001248
A Screen against Leishmania Intracellular Amastigotes: Comparison to a Promastigote Screen and Identification of a Host Cell-Specific Hit
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 19, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001253
Evidence That Lipopolisaccharide May Contribute to the Cytokine Storm and Cellular Activation in Patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 12, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001198
Polyethyleneimine (PEI) Mediated siRNA Gene Silencing in the Schistosoma mansoni Snail Host, Biomphalaria glabrata
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 12, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001212
Structural and Topographic Dynamics of Pulmonary Histopathology and Local Cytokine Profiles in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Conidia-Infected Mice
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 12, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001232
C-Terminal Domain Deletion Enhances the Protective Activity of cpa/cpb Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles against Leishmania major in BALB/c Mice
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 12, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001236
Reduction in Acute Filariasis Morbidity during a Mass Drug Administration Trial to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in Papua New Guinea
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 12, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001241
Measuring Fitness of Kenyan Children with Polyparasitic Infections Using the 20-Meter Shuttle Run Test as a Morbidity Metric
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 5, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001213
Trichinella spiralis Paramyosin Binds to C8 and C9 and Protects the Tissue-Dwelling Nematode from Being Attacked by Host Complement
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 5, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001225
Genotype V Japanese Encephalitis Virus Is Emerging
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 5, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001231
Accuracy of Five Algorithms to Diagnose Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published July 5, 2011 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001233