Treatment of Intestinal Animal Parasitic Diseases in Veterinary and Human Medicine

Technology Background: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal crystal proteins are now widely used in crop protection as biocontrol agents for agricultural nematode pests, replacing hazardous chemical pesticide approaches. However, nematode infestations of cattle, other farm animals, and pets remains a serious problem worldwide. These infestations also are a cause of many human diseases, particularly in the Third World . Over 4 billion cases of human nematode infection are estimated to occur annually, including multiple infestations. Current treatments for human parasitic nematodes include albendazole, mebendazole, levamisole, and ivermectin.

Heretofore, a Bt crystal protein biocontrol approach has not been deemed useful for control of human or animal parasites. Recently, UCSD investigators have demonstrated in an animal model that select Bt crystal proteins are highly effective against animal nematode pathogens. Bt crystal proteins have no known toxic effects to humans or animals.

Since the mechanism of action of Bt crystal proteins is very different from that of currently used compounds, a major advantage is that nematode pests resistant to the current treatments will not be resistant to crystal proteins.

Relative to current treatments for nematode diseases, this approach has the potential to be cheaper. Since the therapy is a protein, it can be expressed in transgenic plant crops, making it possible to deliver the therapy as part of the diet. Use of modified Bt crystal proteins in this way could provide convenient oral and dietary dosing of anti-parasitic therapy. Transgenic expression of these Bt crystal proteins in fruits and vegetables could provide an efficient and cost-effective approach to controlling filariasis, leshmaniasis and other nematode infestations in human populations. Crystal proteins could provide an alternative therapy for animal parasitic nematode infections in those cases where resistance to currently used compounds has occurred.

Stage of Development: animal model tested

Case Number: SD2004-035 and SD2006-049


Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu