Filariasis News and Research

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Filariasis (Philariasis) is a parasitic and infectious tropical disease, that is caused by thread-like filarial nematode worms in the superfamily Filarioidea, also known as "filariae". There are 9 known filarial nematodes which use humans as the definitive host.

Illustrations by Nigerian artist kickstart debate on neglected tropical disease

Illustrations by a local artist in Nigeria are helping health workers and policy makers understand what it's really like to live with a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

5 Nov 2020

Despite COVID-19 setbacks, WHO aims to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by 2030

In 2019, 538.1 million people were treated for lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 38 countries that implemented mass drug administration (MDA) of populations at risk of the disease, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

2 Nov 2020

Study shows how common drug paralyzes the parasites that cause elephantiasis

For years, many scientists and medical professionals likely misunderstood how a commonly prescribed medication for elephantiasis battled the disease, but a new study sets the record straight.

18 Aug 2020

Study identifies three potential drugs to eradicate parasitic worms

Scientists have revealed a way to eradicate parasitic worms by stopping them from using alternative metabolism pathways provided by bacteria that live within them, according to new findings published today in eLife.

12 Aug 2020

Natural compund in cedar and grapefruit skin could help repel mosquitoes and ticks says CDC

Over the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of cases of diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that a natural chemical compound could help combat this problem. This compound Nootkatone is found commonly in cedar trees, and grapefruit skin says the organization.

11 Aug 2020

Study uncovers how schistosome worms trick the host's immune system

Researchers uncovered in a new study how schistosomes, parasitic flatworms that infect more than 200 million people in the tropics, trick the host's immune system and continue producing eggs for decades.

3 Aug 2020

Using genomics to identify promising novel treatment for lymphatic filariasis

Using innovative RNA sequencing techniques, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Institute for Genome Sciences identified a promising novel treatment for lymphatic filariasis, a disabling parasitic disease that is difficult to treat.

3 Dec 2019

International consortium to receive BRL 43.5 million for discovering drugs to treat neglected diseases

In the search for new drugs to treat neglected diseases and malaria, researchers at the University of Campinas and University of Sao Paulo will assemble a team of scientists in a global collaboration network co-funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and the Medicines for Malaria Venture.

26 Nov 2019

Common gout medications can kill elephantiasis-causing parasites

Treatment with two common FDA-approved gout medications have been found to cause rapid death to the parasites that cause elephantiasis.

3 Oct 2019

Molecular changes are linked with adverse events following treatment of lymphatic filariasis

The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis delivers mass drug administration to 500 million people each year, and adverse events are common following treatment. Now, researchers have reported in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases that certain changes in gene expression are associated with these adverse events.

From PLOS ONE 25 Sep 2019

New cellular processes controlling the formation of lymphatic valves found

Lymphedema, resulting from a damaged lymphatic system, can be a debilitating disease in which excess protein-rich fluid (lymph) collects in soft tissues and causes swelling -- most often in the arms or legs.

28 Aug 2019

New review on the epidemiology of various parasitic diseases in Malaysia

Malaysia is facing many challenges caused by various parasitic pathogens. The lack of awareness among disadvantaged populations such as the Orang Asli community and the dependency on foreign workers has led to an influx of immigrants to Malaysia from countries endemic with various parasitic diseases.

29 Jun 2019

Scientists create new models of tropical eye worm for development of anti-filarial drugs

Researchers at the LSTM's Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, and University of Buea, Cameroon have developed new models of the tropical eye worm, Loa loa for the development of new drugs against filariasis.

30 Mar 2019

New anti-Wolbachia drug could potentially treat onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis

Researchers from LSTM and the University of Liverpool have successfully optimized a hit from a whole cell screening of a 10000-compound library to deliver the first novel fully synthetic and rationally designed anti-Wolbachia drug, AWZ1066S, which could potentially be used to treat onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.

8 Jan 2019

Blood-suckers carrying malaria parasites can be traced back up to 100 million years

The microorganisms that cause malaria, leishmaniasis and a variety of other illnesses today can be traced back at least to the time of dinosaurs, a study of amber-preserved blood-sucking insects and ticks show.

27 Nov 2018

WHO revise treatment guidelines of lymphatic filariasis due to CWRU-led study

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have shown that a single "cocktail" of three pill-based anti-parasite medications is significantly more effective at killing microscopic larval worms in people diagnosed with lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, than other standard two-drug combinations previously used in the global effort to eliminate this infectious disease.

9 Nov 2018

Filariasis News and Research

Further Reading

Illustrations by Nigerian artist kickstart debate on neglected tropical disease

Despite COVID-19 setbacks, WHO aims to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by 2030

Study shows how common drug paralyzes the parasites that cause elephantiasis

Study identifies three potential drugs to eradicate parasitic worms

Natural compund in cedar and grapefruit skin could help repel mosquitoes and ticks says CDC

Study uncovers how schistosome worms trick the host's immune system

Using genomics to identify promising novel treatment for lymphatic filariasis

International consortium to receive BRL 43.5 million for discovering drugs to treat neglected diseases

Common gout medications can kill elephantiasis-causing parasites

Molecular changes are linked with adverse events following treatment of lymphatic filariasis

New cellular processes controlling the formation of lymphatic valves found

New review on the epidemiology of various parasitic diseases in Malaysia

Scientists create new models of tropical eye worm for development of anti-filarial drugs

New anti-Wolbachia drug could potentially treat onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis

Blood-suckers carrying malaria parasites can be traced back up to 100 million years

WHO revise treatment guidelines of lymphatic filariasis due to CWRU-led study

LSTM led partnership receives funding to develop drug for treating two neglected tropical diseases

Mosquito screening found to be useful for tracking recurrence of lymphatic filariasis

Fruit fly research leads to potential drug for debilitating diseases caused by parasitic worms

Neglected tropical diseases to be tackled in Africa’s poorest communities

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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