Leishmaniasis
A new cure for a devastating tropical disease
Leishmaniasis is a deadly tropical disease which affects around 2 million people a year. It has become increasingly resistant to drugs. A chance discovery showed a cancer drug undergoing tests had some extremely useful properties.
Leishmaniasis is spread by sandflies, which act as a vector for parasites to get into the body. Dr Sham Sundar has set up a clinic dedicated to treating sufferers. Highly toxic antimony compounds are the traditional cure, but they are expensive, has severe side effects, and the disease is developing resistance. A professor at the Max Planck Institute in Gottingen found a novel cure, which is bringing hope across tropical regions.
Produced by Mentorn
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