Human gastrointestinal helminth infections: are they now neglected diseases?

Although over half the world's population might be infected by gastrointestinal (GI) helminths, their importance as therapeutic targets has been much underrated. GI helminths have only been recognized as causing considerable damage to individuals and to communities in the past 20 years, and global recognition of the problem only occurred within the past few years. As we move into the 21st century, there is a desire to undertake the challenging task of global control of GI helminths, while problems of drug resistance are discussed in the same breath. Today, we have tools that are effective for the task ahead, but these might only be available for a short time. Because of their effectiveness (both for control and as treatments for individuals), their simplicity of use and their excellent tolerability, there has been no incentive to develop new options. Unless there is a sustained effort in drug research and development, we might have to face a world without effective anthelmintics.