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- Ocular Onchocerciasis
Ocular onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a devastating disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. Protheragen is at the forefront of ocular onchocerciasis diagnostics and therapeutics development, offering comprehensive services to advance the fight against this debilitating disease.
Ocular onchocerciasis refers to a form of parasitic infection caused by a filarial nematode called Onchocerca volvulus, which is transferred to humans through the bite of blackflies (Simulidae species). Such a disease threatens public health in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central America, and Yemen, sometimes referred to as river blindness. There is potential for devastating consequences in terms of vision due to the infection, which creates the potential need for more efficient therapeutics and diagnostic tools.
Fig. 1 Host-switching event leading to the appearance of a new Onchocerca species. (Cambra-Pellejà M., et al., 2020)
The pathogenesis of ocular onchocerciasis is caused mainly by the existence and coming death of microfilariae within tissues of the eye. Microfilariae are known to move toward the cornea, the iris, and the retina which leads to inflammation and damage of tissues. Microfilarial death causes immune responses resulting in sclerosing keratitis, chronic iritis, and optic neuritis. The mechanisms of inflammatory response have not been explored but the case is that the antigen released by dying microfilariae leads to the damaging tissues which results in loss of sight.
| Therapeutics | Target | Description | Stage |
| Ivermectin | Microfilariae | Broad-spectrum anthelmintic; effective against microfilariae but has limited effect on adult worms. Requires annual or biannual administration for up to 15 years. | Approved |
| Doxycycline | Wolbachia endosymbionts | Antibiotics targeting the symbiotic bacteria Wolbachia, essential for the survival and reproduction of adult worms. Results in long-term sterility of adult female worms. | Approved |
| Albendazole | Microfilariae (potentiates ivermectin) | Benzimidazole anthelmintic; used in combination with ivermectin to reduce microfilarial loads by up to 99% for a year. Has chemosterilant properties. | Approved |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Every research project is unique and Protheragen carefully tailors its services to meet all of our clients' needs. Our staff collaborates with the clients to provide tailored strategies for the development of ocular onchocerciasis diagnostics and therapeutics.
Protheragen's preclinical research services focus on meeting the very particular needs of research concerning ocular onchocerciasis. Our specialists conduct preclinical studies, including evaluation of efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of novel therapeutic candidates. Important data on therapeutic development are provided by advanced laboratory facilities and animal models that emulate human infections. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
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