Eliminating neglected tropical diseases
Millions of people around the world suffer from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that cause disability and perpetuate poverty. The WashU Medicine Death to Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis (DOLF) Project seeks to develop and evaluate new treatments and methods for mass drug administration to accelerate elimination programs for these NTDs in under-resourced regions of Africa and Asia.
Transforming lives for now and the future
A world without onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis is possible. Bringing our findings from the bench to the village, the DOLF Project has pioneered new treatments for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, which are the world’s second leading infectious causes of blindness and disability, respectively.
In fact, more than 250 million people in the Asia-Pacific region have been treated with a drug combination that we pioneered, and our clinical trials have influenced World Health Organization guidelines for global treatment.
A global leader in infectious diseases
WashU Medicine is a world leader in research and care for infectious diseases, and our scientists and clinical researchers are actively working on several neglected tropical diseases. The DOLF Project is WashU Medicine’s largest funded global health project and its largest project funded by the Gates Foundation.
15th anniversary symposium
On May 1-2, 2025, 80 scientists, collaborators, and funders gathered at WashU to celebrate the impact of DOLF’s 15 years of global research to eliminate neglected tropical diseases. Click below to view the summary report and photo gallery.
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