30 January marks World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, an opportunity to highlight diseases that continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations worldwide. Among the 21 NTDs recognised by the World Health Organization, eight are caused by helminths, accounting for a significant global health burden.
These include soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH), food-borne trematodiases, vector-borne nematode infections such as filariasis and onchocerciasis, larval cestode infections (echinococcosis and cysticercosis), and schistosomiasis, which has the greatest impact among helminth NTDs. Urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis, particularly prevalent in Africa, remain major public health challenges due to their dependence on freshwater snail intermediate hosts and the persistent lack of adequate sanitation infrastructure in endemic regions.
At GHTM | IHMT NOVA, and in particular within the Vector-Borne Diseases (VBD)-GHTM research group, helminth research plays a central role in advancing knowledge, surveillance, and diagnostic innovation. Researchers Isabel Maurício, Manuela Calado, Pedro Ferreira, Silvana Belo and the PhD student Maria Teresa Bispo are actively involved in multiple lines of investigation addressing helminth neglected tropical diseases.
The group maintains the Schistosoma mansoni life cycle for diagnostic development and research purposes, enabling experimental work essential for improving disease detection and understanding host–parasite interactions. In parallel, innovative approaches for risk monitoring are being developed, aiming for effective, affordable and sustainable solutions. Recent work has successfully demonstrated the detection of Schistosoma species and freshwater snail environmental DNA (eDNA) using passive samplers such as filter membranes and resins in Mozambique. This approach is currently being further explored through participation in the Horizon Europe Project DxHub.
In Portugal, snail surveys and eDNA monitoring are being conducted to assess the risk of Schistosoma re-introduction, following recent transmission events reported in France and Spain. These studies also address the risk of cercarial dermatitis in humans caused by avian schistosomes (Project Alqueva), as well as monitoring of Fasciola hepatica.
Soil-transmitted helminthiases remain another priority, particularly infections caused by the genus Strongyloides. GHTM researchers collaborate in studies conducted in PALOP countries and Portugal, focusing on the detection of these parasites in school-aged children, immigrant populations, and environmental samples such as soil, fruits, and vegetables. The group also participates in two Brazil-funded projects dedicated to the development of improved serological diagnostics for Strongyloides.
Food-borne trematodiases are an additional concern, with ongoing research on Fasciola hepatica carried out in collaboration with Brazilian and Spanish partners. This work includes the development of specific isothermal LAMP assays, applied to both intermediate host and definitive host monitoring.
In the scope of World NTD Day, GHTM | IHMT NOVA reaffirms its commitment to research excellence, innovation, and international collaboration, contributing to improved surveillance, diagnostics and control strategies for helminth neglected tropical diseases.
This article is published as part of the World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day celebrations. To learn more about our work on neglected tropical diseases, see our related news:
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: Advancing Research to Leave No One Behind
World NTD Day: Decoding Leishmania from Dogs to Emerging European Vectors
Sleeping Sickness: GHTM Research and Response on World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day