Table 2.

Key knowledge and intervention gaps for neglected parasitic infections^*

Assess disease burden and risk factors

Burden of congenital Chagas disease; role of autochthonous transmission

Burden of cardiac disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and risk factors for severe sequelae among persons infected

Burden of visceral toxocariasis and natural history of disease

Burden of neurocysticercosis

Trichomoniasis and increased risk of HIV and adverse outcomes of pregnancy

Role of Toxoplasma gondii infection in psychiatric diseases

Role of toxocariasis in allergic diseases

Improved diagnostic tests and treatments

Chagas disease tests and drugs

Drug-resistant trichomoniasis: alternative drugs, better test to determine resistance

Antibody tests using recombinant antigens to better identify active neurocysticercosis and monitor response to treatment

Evaluation of drug regimens for treatment of pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis

Appropriate treatment of various manifestations of neurocysticercosis

Optimal treatment for visceral and ocular toxocariasis

Programmatic expansion of proven interventions

Screening and treating contacts of neurocysticercosis cases for taeniasis

Deworming of dogs and cats

Covering sand boxes to reduce exposure to animal feces

Health education to prevent toxoplasmosis: cooking meat adequately, pregnant women avoiding contact with cat litter

Appropriate clinical management to prevent Chagas disease progression

Treatment of male partners of women who have trichomoniasis

^*HIV = human immunodeficiency virus.