Knowra Praziquantel Praziquantel Praziquantel is an antiparasitic drug used against schistosomes, tapeworms, and other flatworms. It disrupts parasite calcium balance, causing paralysis and damage that help the host eliminate the worms.
Voltage-gated calcium channel : A membrane protein that opens in response to changes in electrical potential and allows calcium ions to cross. Praziquantel rapidly increases calcium permeability in susceptible worms, but its direct target is still debated.
Schistosomiasis : A disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, acquired through contact with contaminated freshwater. Praziquantel is the standard treatment for most human schistosome infections.
E. Merck : A German pharmaceutical company whose research and development work contributed to the discovery of praziquantel. Merck researchers helped identify praziquantel as an effective treatment for schistosomes and tapeworms.
Albendazole : A broad-spectrum benzimidazole antiparasitic drug used against several intestinal worms and tissue infections. Albendazole treats many nematodes, whereas praziquantel is especially active against flatworms.
Praziquantel resistance : Reduced susceptibility of parasitic worms to praziquantel, which can compromise treatment effectiveness. Reduced responses have been reported, but widespread clinically significant resistance remains difficult to establish.
Calcium signaling : The use of calcium ions inside cells to regulate processes such as contraction, secretion, and gene expression. Disrupted calcium signaling helps explain praziquantel-induced contraction and paralysis.
Taeniasis : An intestinal infection caused by adult tapeworms of the genus Taenia. Praziquantel treats intestinal Taenia infections, although species identification matters.
Bayer : A German life-sciences company that developed and marketed medicines, including antiparasitic drugs. Bayer collaborated in praziquantel’s development and helped bring it into clinical use.
Niclosamide : An antiparasitic drug used mainly to treat intestinal tapeworm infections. Niclosamide can treat some tapeworms without praziquantel’s systemic exposure.
Schistosoma mansoni : A blood fluke species that causes intestinal schistosomiasis, especially in Africa and parts of South America and the Caribbean. Variation in its drug response has informed concerns about praziquantel resistance.
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