Paul:
Good Question, difficult to answer. I don=27t know what your background =
is and how much molecular genetics and or evolution you have at your =
command so I am not sure on what level to answer your question. I =
suspect though, that the answer is extremely complex in that it involves =
multiple factors. Worms can evolve under the selective pressure of the =
anthelminthic drug of choice for the particular infection. Likewise, =
people, especially farmers, for example, often abuse antehelminthics by =
giving them on the assumption that all farm animals are infected when in =
fact, they not be. The animal learns to detoxify the drug more effectively=
and less and less might be available to treat the parasite when it =
actually comes along. Lastly, there is gene known as the multiple drug =
resistance gene which is actually a sort of cellular pump, that when it =
becomes established in a population serves to pump toxic drugs out of =
cells before the drug concentration can build up to toxic levels in the =
parasite (or cancer cells or bacteria). All of these things contribute to =
answering your question. =20
Tell me a little more about what motivated you to ask the question and if =
it is in reference to any particular parasite, and maybe I can tailor my =
answer to be more specific. =20
Steve Kayes
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Stephen G. Kayes, Ph.D Ofc: (334) 460-6768
Professor FAX: (334) =
460-6771
Structural and Cellular Biology; 2042 MSB
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Mobile, AL 36688-0002 =20
E-mail: kayes=40sungcg.usouthal.edu
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =20
>>> Paul <100526.3050=40CompuServe.COM> 1/21/97 6:33 pm >>>
Can anyone tell me why nematodes are becoming immune to=20
anthelminphic drugs ?
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Thanks
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Paul=20
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