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Praziquantel is an anthelmintic medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infections such as schistosomiasis.
Praziquantel is an anthelmintic medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infections such as schistosomiasis.
Praziquantel works by causing severe spasms and paralysis of the worms' muscles. This paralysis is accompanied - and probably caused - by a rapid Ca 2+ influx inside the schistosome. Morphological alterations are another early effect of praziquantel. These morphological alterations are accompanied by an increased exposure of schistosome antigens at the parasite surface. The worms are then either completely destroyed in the intestine or passed in the stool. An interesting quirk of praziquantel is that it is relatively ineffective against juvenile schistosomes. While initially effective, effectiveness against schistosomes decreases until it reaches a minimum at 3-4 weeks. Effectiveness then increases again until it is once again fully effective at 6-7 weeks. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), an essential detoxification enzyme in parasitic helminths, is a major vaccine target and a drug target against schistosomiasis. Schistosome calcium ion channels are currently the only known target of praziquantel.
For the treatment of infections due to all species of schistosoma.
5 associated conditions
One entry per invention. Patent families filed in the US, EP, WO and CN offices.
