|
�Our studies in mice suggest that this antibiotic may be a strong
candidate for further consideration as a therapeutic drug in patients
with JE� said Anirban Basu, PhD, Staff Scientist and senior author of
this work from NBRC, Manesar, Haryana. The study titled �Minocycline
neuroprotects, reduces microglial activation, inhibits caspase-3
induction, and viral replication following Japanese Encephalitis� will
be published in the future issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, a
journal of the International Society for Neurochemistry. Previous
studies from the same group have shown that following JE there was an
increased production of cytokines, proteins that cause inflammation of
the brain as well as death of neurons. This study goes a step further
to show that minocycline is helpful in reducing the level of cytokines
and neuronal death following JE. The major finding in this study is
that treatment with minocycline provides a complete protection against
experimental JE. Minocycline�s neuroprotective action is associated
with marked decrease in 1) neuronal death, 2) microgliosis and
production of cytokine and 3) viral titre. Furthermore, treatment with
minocycline also improves the behavioral outcome following JE.
�The most recent outbreak in Uttar Pradesh (concentrated in and around
Gorakhpur belt, August-September, 2005) left behind more than one
thousand dead, mostly children below 15 years of age� Dr Basu said.
Vaccine made by Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli is a
lyophilized preparation of infected mouse brain tissue. Due to this it
is impossible to make it in mass quantity and as expected it is also
expensive. Moreover it is only sixty percent efficacious even after
multiple boosters. Dr Basu also noted that multiple boosters not only
makes it further expensive but also makes the treatment regime
difficult, especially for the follow-up booster doses. It is also
noteworthy to mention that at least in India prevalence of JE is
predominantly observed in rural/remote and socio economically backward
parts of the country. As there are multiple pockets of JE epidemic
persists in the country, sometimes it is logistically difficult to
transport vaccines in larger quantities from CRI to the location of
epidemic. On the other hand minocycline, a tetracycline is easily
available in pharmacy or in a primary health care center, in even very
rural and remote set up and it is also inexpensive.
�This study has shed more light on the processes that lead to death in
children infected with JE virus" Dr Basu said. "We hope that these
discoveries will lead to new treatments for JE, which remains a
leading cause of death due to encephalitis in entire Asia-Pacific
region. Department of Biotechnology is actively considering a clinical
trial to use minocycline for JE patients. In addition to Dr Basu,
Manoj Kumar Mishra a graduate student of NBRC is also involved in this
study. This study is funded by Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research, and NBRC is funded by Department of Biotechnology.
|
