NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Covid-19
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu

INTERACTIVE ELECTION MAPS

image/svg+xml
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Subscribe
Follow us Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
×
For latest updates on nCOVID-19 around the world visit our INTERACTIVE COVID MAP
Science
India
International

Researchers are Infecting Volunteers with Parasite to Find Cure for This Neglected Disease

The researchers are aiming to find if this infection model is safe, and later use it to test what vaccination would be effective in preventing the disease.
Newsclick Report
27 Feb 2018
schistosomiasis

Image Courtesy: Eye Of Science/Science

To find a vaccination for schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease that affected more than 200 million people in 2016, physicians at Leiden University Medical Centre are infecting volunteers with the parasite that causes the disease.

People in countries across the tropical belt, including India, are impacted by schistosomiasis. Only one drug, praziquantel, is available to treat it, and it is not very effective. Meta Roestenberg, the physician leading the study, believes that infecting people with the parasite could speed up the development of a new cure or vaccination.

Schistosomiasis generally infects humans when they come into contact with water that is infected by the parasite. People can be exposed to the disease during routine work involving tasks such as agriculture or domestic chores. The body reacts to the parasite’s eggs, which results in various symptoms and complications. Consequences such as bladder cancer, infertility, kidney damage, etc can develop in the later stages of the disease. In some cases, the disease also results in death.

Being a neglected disease, significant resources have not been allocated to finding a cure for the disease. Studies such as this one which involve deliberate infecting of humans have been performed with malaria, cholera, and flu, but not yet with schistosomiasis. The researchers are aiming to find if this infection model is safe, and later use it to test what vaccination would be effective in preventing the disease. 

Before infecting any volunteer, Roestenberg collected different drugs in what she calls “the emergency box” to treat any extreme allergic reaction that may occur. 13 volunteers have been infected so far. The way the study has been designed poses minimal risk to the volunteers. The symptoms of the disease emerge from the eggs of the parasite, which are born in humans when they are infected by both male and female parasites. But Roestenberg is only using males, which means no eggs will be born.

After being infected, the volunteers will be tested every week for the presence of a molecule called CAA in their blood, which is released by the parasite. In future trials, the absence of CAA will indicate that a cure or vaccination has worked and the parasite has died.

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
Schistosomiasis
Neglected Tropical Disease
Vaccinations
Health
diseases
Parasite
Related Stories
Patent and Patient Rights in COVID-19: Is the Right to Exclusivity a Hamlet Question?

Patent and Patient Rights in COVID-19: Is the Right to Exclusivity a Hamlet Question?

The Story of Schistosomiasis in Mao’s China and After

COVID-19: Telangana

COVID-19: Telangana Govt Grossly Under-Reporting Cases, Say Activists

Ban J&J Products to Prevent Asbestos

Appeal to NHRC: ‘Ban J&J Products to Prevent Asbestos-related Diseases and Deaths’

Romila Thapar: “A Healthcare System Covering Everyone Must be Put in Place”

COVID19: Fake News and Myths are as Dangerous as the Virus Itself

COVID19: Fake News and Myths are as Dangerous as the Virus Itself

Oscars 2020: Parasite director Bong Joon Ho (right) receiving the Best Picture award

Bong Joon Ho Creates Oscar History, ‘Parasite’ First Non-English Film to Bag Best Picture Award

Spendings Concerning Social Sectors

Union Budget: Govt. Apathy Continues in Spendings Concerning Social Sectors

WHO Women's reproductive rights

Health for All, Except Women? Contestations on Women's Reproductive Rights at WHA72

UN Report: Modi Government Fails To Reduce Child Stunting

UN Report: Modi Government Fails To Reduce Child Stunting As Per NNM Target

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share

Related Stories

Prudhviraj Rupavath

Jharkhand: Communities near Coal Mines in Ramgarh Suffering from Severe Chronic Health Problems

02 March 2021
A variety of health complaints – respiratory and musculoskeletal issues, skin problems, hair fall, and cracked soles – occured more prominently amo
Bharat Dogra

Tragic Implications of Sinking Nutrition Budget

15 February 2021
The nutrition situation in India has consistently been a cause for serious concern.
Narender Thakur, Vaishali

Budgeting for Universalization of Indian Public Health Care Sector: Lessons from Covid-19?

01 February 2021
Limitation of Private Health Insurance in Covid-19 Pandemic

Pagination

  • Next page ››

More

  • Khichdi

    UP: Minor Girl Dies Allegedly After Consuming 'Khichdi' In Mid-Day Meal in Ballia

  • Zalmay Khalilzad. Photo : Wikimedia Commons

    20 Years After Invasion, US Proposes a New Afghan Government That Includes Taliban

  • War crimes in Palestine

    International Criminal Court Announces Investigation into War Crimes in Palestine

  • Rajasthan protest

    ‘Won’t Pay Unreasonable Electricity Bills,’ Say Protesters in Rajasthan

  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with
about