In the fight against Cryptosporidium, a waterborne protozoan parasite that commonly causes diarrhea and malnutrition and is a potential bioterrorism agent, researchers from Brandeis University identified a key enzyme that plays a role in the pathogen's RNA and DNA synthesis, along with more than 50 compounds so far that can inhibit the enzyme. They reported their findings yesterday at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. A number of the compounds showed antiparasitic activity. The research group is working on the first step in the drug development process, which is improving the compounds' potency, bioavailability, and metabolic stability. Cryptosporidum outbreaks have been linked to contaminated water supplies, and infections can be fatal in people who have weakened immune systems. Oocysts remain stable outside the host for long periods and resist the usual water treatments such as chlorine disinfection. In 1993 in the nation's largest waterborne disease outbreak, Cryptosporidium contaminated Milwaukee's water supply, killing more than 100 people and sickening about 400,000 more.
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/news/apr2610newsscan.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment