A deadly worm threatens North America and Europe



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The results of a scientific study warn of a dangerous disease that could cross Europe and North America due to climate change.

Researchers at the University of Aberystwyth (United Kingdom) undertook a study on the parasite schistosomiasis, a common disease in Africa and South America, but which is likely to be found in the United States. reach Europe and North America due to climate change.

In their research, published recently in PLoS Pathogens they conducted a series of experiments on worms of the species 'Schistosoma mansoni', known as schistosomes, and determined that the successful proliferation of these parasites depends on the interaction of two proteins -SMMBD2 / 3 and SmCBX- in their cells.

how the schistosome genes that produce these proteins cause the parasite to develop These results suggest that both proteins play a vital role […] since egg production is a key step in the infection transmission of the disease, "explains Karl Hoffmann, co-author of the study.

"These results suggest that both proteins play a vital role […] since egg production is a key step in human infection and disease transmission," writes Karl Hoffmann , co-author of the study, in The Conversation . "This is only one step in what could be a path to a new treatment," he added.

Schistosomiasis, known in many countries as bilharzia, is the second most devastating parasitic disease after malaria. 200 million people worldwide are infected with the parasite and more than 200,000 people die each year from its cause, as confirmed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC)

"In this era of global travel and climate change, parasitic worms move slowly but surely to parts of Europe and North America," Hoffmann adds

]. / ktg / myd / hnb

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