Experts Analyze Parasites to Find "Snail Fever" Drugs Jul 17, 2009
Another team of experts led by Zhu Chen at the Chinese National Human Genome Center in Shanghai, sequenced the other parasite Schistosoma japonicum, which thrives in southern China, parts of Indonesia and the Philippines. Both teams published their findings in Nature. (MEDLINEplus)
Science uncovers genetic secrets of killer parasites Jul 17, 2009
The worms, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, are the major cause of the debilitating disease schistosomiasis, otherwise known as Bilharzia. Scientists, according to the international study published in the journal, Mature, have already uncovered targets for new treatments for the disease, which causes fever and fatigue. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Genomes Of Parasitic Flatworms Decoded Jul 16, 2009
Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum are the first sequenced genomes of any organism in the large group called Lophotrochozoa, which includes other free-living and parasitic flatworms as well as segmented roundworms, such as the earthworm ... Zhou et al. The Schistosoma japonicum genome reveals features of host-parasite interplay. (Science Daily)
Killer parasites' genes decoded Jul 16, 2009
Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum both cause the debilitating disease schistomiasis, otherwise known as Bilharzia. The work has already uncovered targets for new treatments for the disease, which causes fever and fatigue. (BBC News -- Health)
