Killing the dead: chemotherapeutic strategies against free-living cyst-forming protists (Acanthamoeba sp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris).
The opportunist free-living protists such as Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris have become a serious threat to human life. As most available drugs target functional aspects of pathogens, the ability of free-living protists to transform into metabolically inactive cyst forms presents a challenge in treatment. It is hoped, that the development of broad spectrum antiprotist agents acting against multiple cyst-forming protists to provide target-directed inhibition will offer a viable drug strategy in the treatment of these rare infections. Here, we present a comprehensive report on upcoming drug targets, with emphasis on cyst wall biosynthesis along with the related biochemistry of encystment pathways, as we strive to bring ourselves a step closer to being able to combat these deadly diseases.
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ruqaiyyah
R
Siddiqui
Yousuf
Y
Aqeel
Naveed Ahmed
NA
Khan
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D059611:Balamuthia mandrillaris / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents