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Examining unmet needs in infectious disease
1National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, Dovehouse Street, SW3 6LY, London, UK. noel.snell@astrazeneca.com
Abstract:
In the past 30 years, more than 30 new aetiological agents of infectious disease have been identified. Some of these are responsible for entirely novel and life-threatening disorders, such as AIDS, Ebola fever, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and Nipah virus encephalitis. During the same period, some longstanding infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis) have became resurgent, as a result of a combination of complacency, increased travel and social dislocation, and also increasing drug resistance. This review looks at some of the key unmet needs in this therapeutic area and discusses strategies to address them.
Insights
Over 30 new infectious disease agents have emerged in 30 years, alongside resurgent diseases like tuberculosis. This review explores unmet therapeutic needs and strategies for infectious disease control.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious disease epidemiology and emergence.
- * Novel and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- * Antimicrobial resistance and public health.
Background:
- * Identification of over 30 new infectious disease agents in the last 30 years.
- * Emergence of novel life-threatening diseases including AIDS, Ebola, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and Nipah virus encephalitis.
- * Resurgence of established infectious diseases like tuberculosis due to complacency, travel, social factors, and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review key unmet needs in the therapeutic area of infectious diseases.
- * To discuss strategies for addressing these unmet needs.
- * To highlight the evolving landscape of infectious disease threats.
Main Methods:
- * Review of scientific literature on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- * Analysis of factors contributing to disease resurgence.
- * Identification of therapeutic gaps and potential strategies.
Main Results:
- * Significant increase in novel infectious disease agents.
- * Growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
- * Need for innovative therapeutic approaches.
Conclusions:
- * Urgent need for new treatments and preventative strategies for infectious diseases.
- * Addressing complacency and improving global health infrastructure are crucial.
- * Continued research and development are essential to combat evolving infectious disease threats.