One of the barriers to increasing the level of support for research and control of the infectious diseases of poverty (IDPs) is a widespread view that many of these infections are already in decline, and that little more needs to be done before they are eliminated. Leprosy is a case in point; this year’s World Leprosy Day has already been and gone, but attracted little media attention. Here on TropIKA.net, however, we have argued [1] that the battle against leprosy is far from over and that there is a need for further research; we seek to identify the research gaps that need filling.

Thankfully, some other IDPs are now receiving increased attention and there is good news to report. New findings from southern Africa and from Mexico [2] provide further evidence that the introduction of rotavirus vaccines into immunization programmes can lead to substantial reductions in diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality. (Diarrhoeal disease is, after pneumonia, the second biggest killer of children in poor countries.) Getting the vaccine to all those who need it is now the challenge.

The search for a vaccine that will protect against dengue fever [3] has been stepped up, with another candidate vaccine entering Phase 1 trials. There are now at least five potential dengue vaccines under development. Some of the countries in Asia and South America reporting increased numbers of dengue cases are amongst the world’s most rapidly growing economies. There will certainly be a significant market for products that prevent or treat dengue and thus there is an economic incentive for research and development efforts that is lacking for many other IDPs.

Many infectious diseases have now been studied using the techniques of mathematical modelling but it remains a controversial area of research. In one of our regular series of Profile interviews, Tatum Anderson speaks with one of the leaders in this field – Professor Sir Roy Anderson [4].

But probably the most influential figure in IDP research is now Bill Gates, who has been much in the news in recent days. The publication of his Annual Letter is likely to come to be regarded as a yearly landmark, as it sets out – in an informal fashion – the Gates Foundation’s own current plans and priorities, and it will have an influence on the actions taken by other donor organizations. The letter – and the announcement of major new Gates funding for vaccine research that followed a few days later – are discussed in TropIKA.net News [5].

The TropIKA.net Blog [6] continues to highlight new developments that have been reported elsewhere on the Internet. China has been reported to have made good progress against tuberculosis [7] and market research has shown it to offer enormous potential for the sale of TB drugs [8]. The achievements of China contrast with the situation in South Africa where TB rates in children are claimed to be the highest ever reported [9].

Another item of interest on the blog is the news that drug giant Novartis has been trying to create a fund that companies and institutions could draw upon to finance the development of drugs against neglected diseases. But after two years of approaching potential donors Novartis says it has not raised a cent for its proposal [10]. Industry has a major role to play in the development of new tools to control the infectious diseases of poverty and it is to be hoped that Novartis will find other ways in which it can make a contribution.

Paul Chinnock
Editor, TropIKA.net