title: Benzimidazole resistance in helminths: From problem to diagnosis.
abstract: Helminth parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality in endemic countries. Given the severity of symptoms that helminths may elicit in the host, intervention with prophylactic and therapeutic measures is imperative. Treatment with benzimidazoles is the most widely used means of combatting these parasites. However, widespread use of these drugs can select for drug-resistant parasite strains. In this review, we approach the problem of benzimidazole resistance in helminths in both humans and animals, focusing on the properties of the drug, the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance and how resistance is diagnosed.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Departamento de Parasitologia, L4 237, Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Fernando Viana
authors.initials: LFV
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Departamento de Parasitologia, L4 237, Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Passos
authors.initials: ACP
authors.lastname: de Paiva Bello
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Departamento de Parasitologia, L4 237, Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Pampulha, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: elidam.rabelo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Élida Mara Leite
authors.initials: ÉML
authors.lastname: Rabelo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006376:Helminths / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles
keywords: Benzimidazole; Drug resistance; Mass drug administration; Polymorphisms; β-tubulin