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EFFECTIVE, CHEAP, FEW SIDE-EFFECTS
25 March 2007 - University of Bonn (Universität Bonn)
| ‘The importance of these findings for therapy should not be underestimated,' Professor Hörauf emphasises. 'The mature worms are after all responsible for such symptoms of the disease as the extreme swelling of the limbs. In the past there was no effective and reliable method of combating them.' |
‘The importance of these findings for therapy should not be underestimated,' Professor Hörauf emphasises. 'The mature worms are after all responsible for such symptoms of the disease as the extreme swelling of the limbs. In the past there was no effective and reliable method of combating them.' The effectiveness of the antibiotic might be even greater than what was measured: 'We cannot exclude the possibility that several patients became re-infected in the months following treatment with doxycyclin. It is therefore quite possible that all the worms were killed and the remaining 20% are the result of re-infection which would no longer occur if infection was effectively prevented. Doxycyclin has been used for many years and has only minor side-effects. However, in young children it may cause irreparable damage to the teeth and slow down growth of the bones. For this reason the antibiotic should not be used during pregnancy, either. For adolescents and adults, however, the drug is harmless. Moreover, it is comparatively cheap. 'Its biggest advantage is that it is already licensed for medical use,' Professor Hörauf points out. 'Elephantiasis hits the poor most of all. It is therefore not likely that the pharmaceuticals industry will develop completely new drugs.'
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About: University of Bonn (Universität Bonn)
With a tradition going back almost 200 years, a student body numbering 30,000 and an excellent reputation at home and abroad, Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany. What's more the university is at home in a city and region where life has always been that little bit better.
The character of Bonn University is, of course, shaped by the people who teach, learn and research here. And all of them, in turn, benefit from a clear and carefully developed institutional profile: Bonn is a research-oriented university that operates internationally while remaining conscious of its traditions. It cooperates with numerous universities and research establishments all over the world. It has developed teaching and research specialisations that enjoy worldwide recognition. |
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