Skin diseases affect an estimated 1.8 billion people globally at any given time. In tropical and resource-limited settings, skin infections are among the most common causes of illness. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) of the skin account for approximately 10% of all skin conditions in many endemic regions, yet they often go underdiagnosed and undertreated.
The World Health Organization introduced the “skin NTDs” framework in 2016 to promote integrated approaches to these diseases, which often share overlapping geographic, clinical, and social characteristics. Addressing these diseases together—rather than in isolation—is essential to achieving universal health coverage and improving health equity in underserved populations.
The Basing Lab is actively engaged in research on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and transmission of several key skin NTDs, with a focus on:
- Yaws
- Buruli ulcer
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis
- Scabies
- Non-NTD pathogens such as Haemophilus ducreyi, which contribute significantly to chronic skin ulcers
Our work includes:
- Developing affordable, field-deployable diagnostic tools for early and accurate detection
- Identifying novel biomarkers using molecular and genomic tools
- Conducting entomological surveys to understand potential vectors and transmission patterns
- Supporting community-based surveillance and intervention strategies in high-burden areas
This research supports the broader goal of integrated skin health and aligns with WHO priorities to control and eliminate skin NTDs through cost-effective, inclusive public health interventions.