Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
22 May 2012 08:36
The research was carried out in laboratories in California
Researchers have suggested that a drug commonly used to combat arthritis may also be an effective weapon against parasitic organisms.
Marketed as Ridaura, auranofin reduces the inflammation which rheumatoid arthritis causes.
But studies suggest auranofin could also be used to treat amoebic dysentery and maybe Giardia - diseases which often affect people in developing nations.
The two infections cause severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps - symptoms which can be suffered by those spending long periods of time in such far-flung destinations.
Those travelling to developing countries should ensure they have a medical travel insurance policy in place before they arrive to offer cover for any essential treatment.
More than 70,000 people die each year due to the amoebic dysentery organism Entamoeba histolytica, and most of the deaths occur in developing countries.
But American scientists found that auranofin targets a protective enzyme the amoeba needs if it is to survive.
Hamsters and mice were infected and it was found the drug caused a decline in the number of parasites as well as reducing inflammation.
Research showed auranofin was 10 times more effective than the antibiotic metronidazole, which is used to treat dysentery at the moment.
"This new use of an old drug represents a promising therapy for a major health threat," said lead researcher Professor Sharon Reed, from the University of California at San Diego.
19 April 2018
A self-injected smart drug may be the key to easing and preventing pain for migraine sufferers.
[more...]
17 April 2018
Despite its reputation as a party drug, ketamine is licensed as an anaesthetic. A recent US study found use of the drug via a nasal spray led to "significant" improvements in depressive symptoms in the first 24 hours.
Simple brain-training exercises carried out at home have been shown to reduce emotional stress in female breast cancer survivors, it's recently been revealed.
13 April 2018
Drinkers who consume more alcohol than UK guidelines suggest could be cutting years off their lives, according to new research.
12 April 2018
A recent study has revealed that people who sustain brain injuries are at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.
11 April 2018
Scientists have announced their latest breakthrough in the battle against Alzheimer's disease, after neutralising a high-risk gene in a human brain cell for the first time.
07 April 2018
The Philippines is set to shut its most famous holiday island of Boracay for six months, after the President described it as a "cesspool".
05 April 2018
Taxes on soft drinks, alcohol and tobacco - nicknamed "sin taxes" - could be a powerful step towards combating rising rates of chronic diseases worldwide, research has suggested.
New "one-stop shops" to speed up cancer diagnosis are being trialled across the country for the first time.
30 March 2018
Doctors should tell patients that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but not without risk, according to new national guidance.
29 March 2018
Young people suffering from mental health problems are finding it hard to get the support they need, a survey has revealed.
28 March 2018
Children exposed to epilepsy drugs in the womb may achieve poorer test results at school, a study has suggested.