Neglected tropical diseases are a group of tropical infections which are especially endemic in low–income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Different groups define the set of diseases differently. In this context, we mention ascariasis, whipworms (trichuriasis), hookworm (necatoriasis, ancylostomiasis), schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, Leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis, hanseniasis, African trypanosomiasis, Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis), and Buruli ulcer. In this special section, we would welcome papers that focus on digeneans.

The economic impact of the neglected tropical diseases on the developing economies is tremendous. One reason for the high number of deaths is the lack of adequate tools for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. They affect the poorest populations in the least developed countries of the world and therefore do not constitute a lucrative market for the pharmaceutical industries. It should also be emphasized that these diseases represent an enemy that takes advantage of social and economic fragilities.

This special edition will feature proposals of advances of control and reduction of the risk of these diseases, covering one approach in the direction of biomedicine and biotechnology. Authors are invited to submit their research with a focus on overall progress in the diagnosis, epidemiology, and control measures. Finally, the main purpose is to make new useful knowledge more accessible to combat neglected tropical diseases. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Helminths
• Protozoa

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/bmri/parasitology/ntd/ according to the following timetable: