Editorial: Novel pharmacological targets and strategies to treat neglected global diseases (NGDs): an LMIC perspective

Abstract

Neglected Global Diseases (NGDs) are infectious diseases and other conditions that cause physical and cognitive impairments, contribute to mother and child illness and death, and make it difficult to earn a living, thereby disproportionately affecting the world's poorest populations. They include maternal, infant, and child health conditions, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a list of 21 NTDs that cause substantial illness for more than one billion people globally (1). These diseases thrive in conditions of extreme poverty, areas that generally have unsafe water, poor sanitation, substandard housing, and limited access to health care or essential medicines. In some countries, this includes most rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones. However, it is increasingly recognized that emerging middle-income countries contain the highest numbers of people affected.NGDs impact daily life for many, predominantly in countries with weak health and social support systems, they cripple families and contribute to the harsh cycle of poverty. While some NTDs are fatal without treatment, most of them are debilitating and stigmatizing. Children are particularly vulnerable. Overall, NGDs cause great suffering and are a leading cause of chronic disability, diminished quality of life, and premature death. Despite their impact, funding for NTDs research and treatment fades compared to "developed world impacted or supported diseases." Unfortunately, particularly in the past 20 years, the development of novel pharmacological targets and new interventions based on these targets to treat NGDs has been limited (2). However, in recent years there has been a resurgence of research in these areas from low-or middle-income countries (LMICs) researchers themselves. Unlike similar Research Topics in this area, the purpose of this Research Topic was to highlight the novel work of LMIC researchers in developing new targets and interventions to treat NGDs.We received five contributions from colleagues highlighting everything from Global Access Principles to research on leishmaniasis.peptides for potential use against malaria and various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; a portable vaccine cooler; a diagnostic technology to detect severe sepsis; and an SMS Messaging System to monitor and support patients with HIV, TB and COVID-19. The article identified