Neglected tropical diseases include a group of diseases that occur predominantly in developing countries and are responsible for high morbidity and mortality.
In addition to the consequences on the health of populations, these diseases replicate, in affected populations (usually the most disadvantaged), cycles of poverty, deficit of development in childhood, negative impact on fertility and birth, and productivity.
These diseases are also associated with lack of interest of the competent authorities and the lack of investment in research and development of new molecules for the treatment or cure.
According to the World Health Organization, there are 17 neglected tropical diseases: dengue; rabies; trachoma; buruli ulcer; yaws; leprosy; Chagas disease; sleeping sickness; leishmaniases; taeniasis and neurocysticercosis; dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease); echinococcosis; foodborne trematodiases; lymphatic filariasis; onchocerciasis (river blindness); schistosomiasis; and soil-transmitted helminthiases.