PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases publishes research devoted to the pathology, epidemiology, prevention, treatment and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as relevant public health and policy. We define NTDs as poverty-promoting infectious diseases that primarily occur in rural areas and poor urban areas of low-income and middle-income countries, but can also affect specific communities within high-income countries. Their impact on child health and development, pregnancy, and worker productivity, as well as their stigmatizing features, prevent equity and economic stability. The journal focuses on human disease, human health, translational, clinical, and epidemiological studies, including informative case reports. Case reports will only be considered based on novelty, or an unexpected or uncommon manifestation of a disease. Below is a non-exhaustive list of topics we are currently interested in. We are open to conversations with our communities about scope adjustments that reflect their changing needs. All aspects of these diseases are considered, including: Pathogenesis Clinical features Drug administration and treatment Diagnosis Epidemiology Vector biology Vaccinology and prevention Demographic, ecological and social determinants Public health and policy aspects (including cost-effectiveness analyses) Major NTDs within scope Protozoan Infections (and their vectors) Amebiasis including Naegleria Babesiosis Balantidiasis Blastocystiasis Chagas Disease Cryptosporidiosis and cyclosporiasis Giardiasis Human African Trypanosomiasis Leishmaniasis Plasmodium vivax and other non-P. falciparum malarias Toxoplasmosis Helminth Infections (and their vectors) All human helminth infections including but not restricted to: Dracunculiasis Echinococcosis Food-borne Trematodiases Loiasis Lymphatic Filariasis Onchocerciasis Other food-borne helminthiases (Trichinosis, Anisakiasis, Gnathostomiasis) Schistosomiasis Soil-transmitted helminthiases (Ascariasis, Hookworm Diseases, Trichuriasis, Strongyloidiasis) Taeniasis-Cysticercosis Toxocariasis and other larva migrans (Baylisascaris) Viral Infections (and their vectors) Arboviral infections (Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Japanese encephalitis, Jungle yellow fever and others) Coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2* Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) Enterovirus 71 and related viruses Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Henipavirus species e.g. Nipah virus Hepatitis C and E HTLV-1, HTLV-2 and other non-HIV retrovirus infections Rabies Rift Valley fever Viral hemorrhagic fevers Bacterial Infections (and their vectors) Bartonella Bovine Tuberculosis in Humans Buruli Ulcer Cholera Enteric pathogens (Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli) Group A Streptococcal disease Leprosy Leptospirosis Melioidosis Nocardia Noma (Orofacial Gangrene) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) Relapsing Fever Rheumatic Heart Disease Rickettsioses (e.g. typhus group, spotted fever groups) Trachoma Yaws and other tropical treponematoses (Bejel, Pinta) Q fever Fungal Infections Mycetoma Chromoblastomycosis Paracoccidioidomycosis Sporotrichosis Talaromycosis Emergomycosis Cryptococcosis* Histoplasmosis* Ectoparasitic Infections Scabies, Myiasis, and other ectoparasites Non-infectious diseases or conditions Podoconiosis Scorpion sting envenomation (SSE) Snakebite envenoming Articles relating to envenomations by any of the venomous animals will be reviewed for publication, especially those that deal with epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, social science or public policy studies in resource-poor locations. One Health approaches and Policy The journal considers any papers that examine the aforementioned NTDs or NTD related policy from a One Health approach, to ensure the well-being of vulnerable people and neglected populations. For more information on what constitutes a One Health approach, please visit the CDC and WHO guidelines. *These pathogens are only considered in afflicted persons residing in neglected/impoverished situations. Related topics with restricted scope Nutritional diseases Papers that examine the link between nutrition and NTD infection are considered for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases; however, purely nutritional studies are not in the scope of the journal. We will not consider submissions on: The “big three” diseases, HIV/AIDS, malaria (Falciparum), and tuberculosis Hepatitis A, B or D Lyme disease Syphilis Head lice Mental health, psychiatry, psychology Research that is based in or primarily affects high income countries, unless the study would also have consequences in LMIC Purely veterinary/agricultural-focused studies with no impact on human health Fundamental microbial pathogenesis Research on fundamental microbial pathogenesis and the molecular and cellular biology of the NTDs pathogens should be submitted to PLOS Pathogens. Examples: fundamental mechanisms of immune evasion by Plasmodium, blocking of apoptosis by Salmonella, population biology of Candida, or latency in herpes viruses. Research on molecular pathways as potential drug or vaccine targets would be suitable for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Other infections Other infectious diseases will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Authors must indicate in the cover letter why they consider the infection to be a neglected tropical disease. If a paper is determined to not be in scope, the paper will be returned to the authors indicating the reasoning.
