Aims & Scope
Journal of Tropical Diseases and Medicine (JTMH) publishes rigorous, evidence-based research on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tropical and infectious diseases affecting populations in endemic regions and travelers worldwide.
Research Scope: Tiered Framework
Vector-Borne Tropical Diseases
Research on diseases transmitted by arthropod vectors in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Malaria: epidemiology, drug resistance, novel therapeutics
- Dengue fever: pathogenesis, vaccine development, outbreak management
- Chagas disease: diagnosis, treatment outcomes, vector control
- Leishmaniasis: clinical manifestations, immunology, drug discovery
- Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis: elimination strategies
- Yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya: emerging threats
"Artemisinin resistance patterns in Plasmodium falciparum across Southeast Asian endemic zones: a multi-country surveillance study"
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
WHO-designated NTDs affecting marginalized populations in resource-limited settings.
- Soil-transmitted helminthiases: mass drug administration, reinfection dynamics
- Schistosomiasis: morbidity control, diagnostic innovations
- Cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis: neuroimaging, treatment protocols
- Rabies: post-exposure prophylaxis, elimination programs
- Leprosy: stigma reduction, multidrug therapy outcomes
- Buruli ulcer, yaws, and trachoma: field-based interventions
"Cost-effectiveness of school-based deworming programs for soil-transmitted helminths in sub-Saharan Africa: a 5-year cohort analysis"
Tropical Infectious Disease Microbiology
Pathogen biology, host-pathogen interactions, and antimicrobial resistance in tropical contexts.
- Tuberculosis: drug-resistant strains, diagnostics, treatment adherence
- Tropical bacterial infections: typhoid, leptospirosis, melioidosis
- Fungal infections: cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis in immunocompromised hosts
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers: Ebola, Lassa, Marburg diagnostics and therapeutics
- Parasitology: protozoan and helminth molecular biology
- Antimicrobial stewardship in tropical healthcare settings
"Whole-genome sequencing reveals transmission networks of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in urban slums of Mumbai"
Tropical Public Health & Epidemiology
Population-level interventions, disease surveillance, and health systems research in tropical regions.
- Disease surveillance systems and outbreak response
- Vaccine implementation and coverage in endemic areas
- Environmental and climate determinants of tropical diseases
- Health inequalities and access to care in low-resource settings
- Community-based interventions for disease prevention
- Travelers' health: pre-travel prophylaxis, post-travel screening
"Impact of seasonal rainfall patterns on dengue transmission dynamics: a 10-year time-series analysis from 15 tropical cities"
Secondary Focus Areas
Immunology & Vaccine Development
Immune responses to tropical pathogens, vaccine trials, and immunotherapeutic approaches specific to tropical diseases.
Diagnostic Innovation
Point-of-care diagnostics, molecular assays, and field-deployable technologies for resource-limited tropical settings.
Translational Research
Bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical applications in tropical disease management and drug development.
One Health Approaches
Zoonotic disease transmission, environmental reservoirs, and integrated human-animal-ecosystem health strategies.
Health Informatics & AI
Machine learning for disease prediction, geospatial mapping of outbreaks, and digital health interventions in tropical regions.
Socioeconomic & Policy Research
Health economics, policy analysis, and social determinants affecting tropical disease burden and control programs.
Emerging Research Areas (Selective Review)
Note: Submissions in emerging areas undergo additional editorial review to ensure alignment with journal scope. Authors should clearly articulate relevance to tropical disease contexts.
Climate Change & Disease Emergence
Novel vector distributions, shifting disease endemicity, and climate-driven outbreak predictions.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Tropics
Resistance mechanisms, surveillance networks, and stewardship programs specific to tropical pathogens.
Co-infections & Comorbidities
HIV-TB co-infection, malaria-malnutrition interactions, and tropical disease burden in immunocompromised populations.
Genomic Epidemiology
Pathogen evolution, transmission tracking, and molecular surveillance using next-generation sequencing.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Case Reports: Only considered if documenting novel pathogens, rare presentations, or significant clinical insights. Single-patient reports without broader implications are typically rejected.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- CONSORT for randomized trials
- STROBE for observational studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- ARRIVE for animal research
- STARD for diagnostic accuracy
Data Transparency
- Data availability statements required
- Raw data deposition encouraged
- Genomic sequences in public repositories
- Clinical trial registration mandatory
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/ethics committee approval required
- Informed consent documentation
- Animal welfare compliance (IACUC)
- Biosafety protocols for pathogens
Preprint & Publication Policy
- Preprints accepted (bioRxiv, medRxiv)
- No prior publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Conference abstracts permitted
- Preprint DOI disclosure required
Decision Metrics & Transparency
Desk Rejection Rate: Approximately 35% of submissions are desk-rejected within 5 days due to scope mismatch. Common reasons include non-tropical disease focus, insufficient novelty, or methodological concerns. Authors are encouraged to carefully review scope before submission.
Ready to Submit?
Ensure your research aligns with our scope and meets reporting standards. For scope inquiries, contact our editorial team before submission.
Contact Editorial Office
