A novel drug could be used to treat neglected tropical diseases developed by researchers which can prompt genuine inability and affect more than 157 million individuals globally.
University of Liverpool – UK, to deliver the first novel completely manufactured and soundly structured anti-Wolbachia drug, AWZ1066S, could potentially be used to cure onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF). Onchocerciasis are caused by the filarial worm transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies and LF occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.
Steve Ward, researcher at University of Liverpool said, “The identification represents the first potential designer drug of its kind, specifically targeting Wolbachia as a curative treatment for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF)”.
The co-author of the study published in the journal PNAS, Ward – co-senior author said “Over 157 million people globally are affected by onchocerciasis and LF, this particular molecule has the potential to shorten that timescale of treatments from weeks to days which could significantly impact the international timetable for the elimination of these two neglected tropical diseases”
Even though anti-filarial drug has proven effective clinically through the reduciton of Wolbachia, the treatment procedures are protected. In the look for new anti-filarial drugs, researchers are focusing on Wolbachia.
