Analysis of research intensity on infectious disease by disease burden reveals which infectious diseases are neglected by researchers

Significance Threats from emerging and reemerging infectious diseases have increased globally. However, neglected tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease and schistosomiasis, are believed to attract low attention. We investigated which infectious diseases have been neglected by researchers and which have received attention through an analysis of disease burden and research activity. We found, for example, that influenza and HIV/AIDS have attracted high research attention in relation to their disease burden, while paratyphoid fever has attracted low attention considering the disease burden. Interestingly, not all so-called neglected tropical diseases were subject to low research intensity. Further discussion must occur with regard to the appropriate allocation of resources for research into infectious diseases.