Researchers develop a drug that is effective against neglected tropical diseases

Scientists have developed a new drug that can combat two of the most neglected tropical diseases that can cause blindness and severe disability. The bacterium responsible for the diseases affects close to 157 million people around the world.

Onchocerca volvulus, a parasitic worm can penetrate the skin and eyes and cause blindness. A parasitic infection, known as elephantiasis, results in severe swelling of the arms and legs.

The drug calledAWZ1066S, developed by researchers from the University of Liverpool in Britain, has been found to be effective in killing the Wolbachia, the bacterium responsible for the disease. A Wolbachia-dependent parasitic causes elephantiasis. Therefore, finding a cure for one can help treat other similar diseases as well.

The drug can be administered orally and doesn't appear to have any impact on the gut biome. Even more importantly, you only need to take it for a few days, as opposed to other treatments that can last about to six weeks.

"Our team has already shown that removing the bacteria with antibiotics results in the death of the worm, but until now we were unaware of how the bacteria protected the parasite in the first instance," Ben Makepeace, a lecturer from the varsity, told a news portal.

Upon investigation, the team found Wolbachia bacteria in the worm almost acts like a disguise and protects the worm in the body. This causes the immune system to act in an inefficient way. However, with the help of the antibiotics cells called eosinophils are released to kill the worm.

There is no vaccine for river blindness available currently, but researchers are hopeful they are a step closer with their development.