A breakthrough has been made in the treatment of mycetoma, a flesh and bone-eating disease that has been neglected for years. The oral drug fosravuconazole, originally used to treat fungal nail infections, has been found to be up to 85% effective in treating mycetoma, with no side effects. This offers hope to the thousands of patients who have faced neglect and the possibility of amputations due to the lack of effective treatment for the disease.
Mycetoma, a chronic infection caused by certain bacteria and fungi, is on the World Health Organization’s list of 20 neglected tropical diseases. The new treatment is expected to be much cheaper and easier to administer compared to the current drug, itraconazole, which is expensive, has side effects, and requires four doses a day for a year. Despite successful trials in Sudan, the war in the country has hindered efforts to fight the disease, impacting the only dedicated center for mycetoma in the world and causing setbacks in the progress made. There are plans to open two new centers in areas not affected by conflict to continue the battle against mycetoma.
6 Comments
Donatello
I'm hopeful that this breakthrough will lead to more attention and research into neglected tropical diseases as a whole.
Raphael
This breakthrough gives me hope that we can make a real difference in the lives of people affected by mycetoma.
Michelangelo
I bet this breakthrough is just a ploy to distract us from more important issues in the world.
Leonardo
The fact that there are plans to open new centers to continue the fight against mycetoma shows a real commitment to making a difference.
Donatello
This breakthrough is a reminder of the importance of investing in global health and fighting neglected diseases.
Michelangelo
It's amazing how a drug originally used for fungal nail infections can be so effective in treating mycetoma. This is such a game-changer.