Parasitic infections rank among the greatest threats to physical health, mental wellbeing and economic growth in developing countries, most notably in sub-Saharan Africa. These diseases include schistosomiasis, malaria, leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis. Extensive implementation and improvements in education, mass drug administration and infrastructure have produced substantial improvements in outcomes. However, these parasitic diseases still cause the deaths of several hundred thousand people per year and the loss of millions of disability-adjusted life years. The scope and severity of these diseases necessitates further innovations to improve living standards for the most vulnerable.

A crucial step in combating deadly parasitic diseases is the accurate identification of the nature and severity of the infection. One of the most reliable approaches to managing parasitic infections is providing ASSURED (affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid, equipment-free, and deliverable to end-users) diagnostic kits. However, diagnoses often require cold chain transport, trained medical professionals, expensive equipment and a range of reagents. These factors, in addition to the low throughput rates, limit the scalability and accessibility of diagnostics in developing countries. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of parasitic molecular biology, more accessible diagnostic methodologies and a rigorous comparison of available and emerging technology could inform improved approaches to diagnosing parasitic diseases.

In this Research Topic, our goal is to collate a series of novel and ground-breaking articles addressing the molecular diagnosis of parasitic diseases. Submissions which we welcome include Original Research, Review and Mini-Review articles which address the development or implementation of ASSURED molecular diagnostics. These sub-topics include, but are not limited to:

1. The identification of species-specific proteins, peptides or metabolites which can indicate infection.

2. An improved taxonomic understanding of parasites, such as the identification of species-specific gene.

3. The implementation of emerging molecular techniques, such as LAMP or CRISPR, to facilitate the development of ASSURED molecular diagnostics.

4. Reviews comparing different diagnostic kits, including cost, sensitivity, required training to use and other factors relating to the feasibility of in-field application.

5. The development of an original product for the diagnosis of a specific parasitic infection.

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Frontiers in Parasitology

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