New Drug Being Tested to Fight Tropical Chagas Disease
CARACAS, Venezula-Researchers at the Venezuela Institute for Scientific Research have recently reported in the journal Science, they have made significant strides in developing a drug to treat tropical Chagas disease.
The South American form of Trypanosomiasis, Trypansoma cruzi, reportedly kills 50,000 people annually. The parasitic infection is spread through cockroach-sized insects that live in the walls and roofs of buildings. When they defecate, the waste lands on sleeping people below. The parasite enters through the skin. Children can also be infected at birth and via nursing. People can also receive contaminate blood containing the parasite.
While the scope of the bug's reach has been significantly limited after South American government sponsored insecticide spraying of building and new blood testing methods. However, the infections persist.
Researchers working with a variety of drugs have tried to find a method of killing the parasite before it is able to burrow into the heart and intestine. They have been close in finding an effective treatment in antifungal drugs, but have produce incredible results with an anticholesterol drug manufactured by AstraZeneca.
The drug blocks ergosterol synthesis in trypansomes, which significantly reduces the number of amastigote parasites that infect the human heart and intestinal tissue.
The specific drug wasn't mentioned in the literature, however the compound responsible for both aiding in cholesterol and reducing the parasitic count is called BPQ.
Information from the journal Science
Point-of-Care Engagement in Long-Term Care Decreasing Infections
November 26th 2024Get Well’s digital patient engagement platform decreases hospital-acquired infection rates by 31%, improves patient education, and fosters involvement in personalized care plans through real-time interaction tools.
Comprehensive Strategies in Wound Care: Insights From Madhavi Ponnapalli, MD
November 22nd 2024Madhavi Ponnapalli, MD, discusses effective wound care strategies, including debridement techniques, offloading modalities, appropriate dressing selection, compression therapy, and nutritional needs for optimal healing outcomes.
The Leapfrog Group and the Positive Effect on Hospital Hand Hygiene
November 21st 2024The Leapfrog Group enhances hospital safety by publicizing hand hygiene performance, improving patient safety outcomes, and significantly reducing health care-associated infections through transparent standards and monitoring initiatives.
