A hit with sand fly spit - The Beat

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a breakthrough vaccine with the potential to alleviate suffering for the estimated 12 million people worldwide affected with one of the leishmaniases, a group of potentially fatal diseases that can cause destruction of the mucous membranes near the face, painful skin lesions, and infestations of internal organs. The leishmaniases are transmitted by sand flies, blood-feeding insects. The vaccine, which tests show to be effective with mice, utilizes a protein found in sand fly saliva to confer immunity. Further testing is planned on other animals. This research could lead to vaccines for other insect- or tickborne diseases, says institute director Anthony Fauci.

COPYRIGHT 2001 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group