Factors by which parasitic organisms can develop resistance to drugs used to treat infections, and how this information can be used to develop more effective treatment strategies. It is important to understand how parasitic organisms develop drug resistance in order to identify potential targets for new drugs, and to develop strategies to prevent or overcome resistance. How does information life these improve the efficacy and sustainability of anti-parasitic drug treatments, particularly in regions where parasitic infections are endemic and drug resistance is a major public health concern.
Antiparasitic resistance is common in animals that are continually exposed to worms and they can have repeated parasitic infections and also be treated repeatedly with antiparasitic drugs. Many factors contribute to antiparasitic resistance; these may include the biology of the parasite, the strength of the parasite, the ways to treat the parasite, and the properties of the antiparasitic drug used. To help combat this antiparasitic resistance in animals, the FDA developed the Antiparasitic Resistance Management Strategy. The strategy promotes sustainable use of approved dewormers in animals. This will help to slow down the development of antiparasitic resistance and in return this will ensure that the antiparasitic drugs used remain effective for as long as possible.
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/antiparasitic-resistance
Antiparasitic Resistance | FDA
Drug Resistance in Protozoan Parasites: An Incessant Wrestle for Survival - PubMed (nih.gov)
The mechanisms of drug resistance in parasitic infections can vary depending on the specific parasite involved. One example is the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which has developed resistance to several antimalarial drugs, including chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and mefloquine.
The mechanisms of drug resistance in P. falciparum involve changes in the parasite's genome, leading to mutations in genes that affect drug uptake, metabolism, and target binding. For example, chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum is associated with mutations in the chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) gene, which leads to reduced accumulation of chloroquine in the parasite's digestive vacuole.
To develop more effective treatment strategies for drug-resistant parasitic infections, it is important to understand the mechanisms of resistance and to identify new targets for drug development. This can involve:
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- Science method