A clinical trial of a new treatment for one of the world's deadliest parasitic diseases is under way in Liverpool.
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease found in parts of Asia, East Africa, and Brazil, and is transmitted through the bites of infected sand flies.
It causes flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue and weight loss, and is almost always fatal if left untreated – but has been the subject of limited research in recent years.
Current treatments require daily injections for up to 17 days which can cause pain, nausea and vomiting, and the new study is trialling an oral drug that could overcome these barriers by being easier to store, transport, and administer.
The trial is a collaboration between the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), the University of Liverpool and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a medical research non-profit organisation.
It is being conducted at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
'Save countless lives'
Professor Richard Fitzgerald, principal investigator of the study, said: "Visceral leishmaniasis claims thousands of lives every year, and current treatments are often inaccessible to those who need them most, particularly in low-income regions where healthcare systems are limited.
"This trial offers hope for a more practical and effective solution, one that could reach those most at risk and save countless lives.
"It also reflects the skills and expertise here in Liverpool, showing that we are at the forefront of developing new medicines for a disease that affects people on the other side of the world."
The trial is currently recruiting volunteers from Liverpool and the surrounding areas, with several participants already having completed a screening process.
It will take place over two weeks, with volunteers closely monitored by clinical specialists.
Fellow researcher Professor Saye Khoo added: "We aim to develop a treatment that can be stored in varying conditions, delivered directly to vulnerable communities, and administered easily, without the need for hospitalisation."
Dr Fabiana Alves, director of leishmaniasis programme at the DNDi, said: "An estimated 50,000 to 90,000 new cases occur every year – most of them in Eastern Africa, where half of those infected are children under 15.
"We urgently need better, effective, safe and patient-friendly medicines, and this trial in Liverpool is playing a critical role toward that goal."
