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David L. Williams
Immunology/Microbiology
Rush University Medical Center
Department of Biological Sciences
Illinois State University
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia or snail fever) infects 207,000,000 people in the world. There are an estimated 280,000 deaths/year. It is a major cause of underreported morbidity. It is endemic in 75 countries and almost 800 million people are at risk. Chemotherapy is an important component of schistosomiasis control. Praziquantel is single widely used drug. Tens of millions of people are treated annually however rapid reinfection occurs after treatment. Resistance possible and there is still a question of resistance at present. There is an urgent need for new antischistosomal drugs.
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