A new study suggests the use of Closantel, an old drug used to treat liver fluke in sheep and cattle, in fighting river blindness. River blindness has become a major cause of infection-related blindness in humans.
River blindness is caused by thread-like filarial nematode worms, Onchocerca volvulus, which are transmitted among humans through the bite of a black fly.
Scientists Make 'Historic Milestone' In The Fight Against River Blindness
The disease onchocerciasis, a major cause of blindness which affects some 37 million people worldwide, can be wiped out using drugs, says the UN health agency.
The disease onchocerciasis, a major cause of blindness which affects some 37 million people worldwide, can be wiped out using drugs, says the UN health agency.
Currently, the only drug available for mass treatment of river blindness is ivermectin, and it now appears that resistance to that drug is emerging.
This creates a critical need to identify new drug targets and agents that can effectively treat the disease.
WHO to Start Clinical Trial on River Blindness Drug
The World Health Organisation said Wednesday it was launching a clinical trial for a drug that could halve the treatment period for river blindness.
The World Health Organisation said Wednesday it was launching a clinical trial for a drug that could halve the treatment period for river blindness.
"We think this finding holds terrific potential for the treatment of river blindness, one of 13 recognized neglected tropical diseases," said Scripps Research postdoctoral fellow Christian Gloeckner, the first author of the study.
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All-out Effort Curtails Spreading of River Blindness in Guatemala
An international team of researchers led by Rodrigo Gonzalez of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala reports that the transmission of onchocerciasis or river blindness...
An international team of researchers led by Rodrigo Gonzalez of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala reports that the transmission of onchocerciasis or river blindness...
Source-ANI
River Blindness Re-emerges In Ivory Coast
They're back. The black flies that transmit river blindness have re-emerged in parts of Ivory Coast, sparking a fresh campaign to ensure villagers can work their fields without fear.
They're back. The black flies that transmit river blindness have re-emerged in parts of Ivory Coast, sparking a fresh campaign to ensure villagers can work their fields without fear.
