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Thomas UnnaschDepartment of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USAPeople living in tropical regions account for a large percentage of the world’s population, and residents of the tropics face many challenges to their health. Populations living in tropical regions must deal with most of the same diseases that confront people inhabiting temperate regions, but face many other health problems as well. For example, it is estimated that the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including the parasitic helminths and apicoplast parasites, afflict roughly 40% of the world’s population, almost all of whom reside in tropical climates.

Nadia A Fernández-Santos,1 Francisco Gibert Prado-Velasco,2 Dey Carol Damián-González,2 Thomas R Unnasch,3 Mario A Rodríguez-Pérez1 1Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Ciudad Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México; 2Instituto de Salud del Estado de Chiapas, Programas de Tracoma y Oncocercosis en Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México; 3Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USACorrespondence: Mario A Rodríguez-Pérez Email drmarodriguez@hotmail.comAbstract: We present a historical review of two neglected tropical diseases (NTD), namely, onchocerciasis and trachoma, both which were successfully eliminated in Mexico. In addition, we present a cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) demonstrating that these were worthwhile health interventions. Historically, an estimate of $310.68 and $38.92 per person were spent during the period of time the onchocerciasis and trachoma elimination programs operated, respectively.Keywords: onchocerciasis, trachoma, assessments, Mexico, Chiapas, Oaxaca

Ed W Cupp1, Charles D Mackenzie2, Thomas R Unnasch31Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA; 2Department of Pathobiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; 3Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USAAbstract: Ivermectin (registered for human use as Mectizan®) was donated by Merck & Co Inc in 1987 for the treatment and control of human onchocerciasis ("river blindness"). This philanthropic gesture has had a remarkable effect in reducing the incidence and prevalence of this serious ocular and dermatological disease, while changing health system support for millions of people worldwide. Over 800 million doses have been given to more than 80 million people for onchocerciasis during the past 23 years. As a result, onchocerciasis has been significantly reduced in more than 25 countries, transmission has been interrupted in foci in at least 10 countries, and the disease is no longer seen in children in many formerly endemic foci. Recent communications have suggested that the drug's efficacy as the major therapeutic agent for these control and elimination programs may be threatened, but alternative interpretations for suboptimal response/resistance suggest otherwise. Current research needs and control methods by which the public health community in endemic countries may respond to resistance, should it occur in their area, are discussed, along with the continuing importance of this anthelmintic as the mainstay in onchocerciasis control programs.Keywords: Ivermectin, Onchocerca volvulus, river blindness, resistance, African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control, Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas