IIT Mandi Develops Vaccine for Epilepsy Caused by Pork Tapeworm
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Mandi, September 27: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has developed a vaccine to prevent epilepsy caused by the pork tapeworm. This vaccine was developed under the leadership of Dr. Amit Prasad, Associate Professor at the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering. The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists from Punjab’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and scientists from the CSIR-Himalayan Institute of Bioresource Technology in Himachal Pradesh.
In simple terms, pork tapeworm is a type of parasite that not only causes infections within the body but can also lead to severe brain infections. While epilepsy can have various causes, studies have revealed that 45% of epilepsy cases are attributed to pork tapeworm infections.
Dr. Amit Prasad explained that the vaccine developed could prove to be instrumental in preventing this disease. Applying this vaccine as a preventive measure can reduce the likelihood of epilepsy caused by pork tapeworm infections. It’s worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers pork tapeworm infections as a significant contributor to deaths due to foodborne diseases. In developed countries, it can contribute to 30% of epilepsy cases, but in regions with a prevalence of pigs roaming freely in unsanitary conditions, this figure can rise to 45-50%.
The prevalence of brain infections in North India is alarmingly high at 48.3%. While efforts are being made at a large scale in the country to combat these infections using drugs like albendazole and praziquantel, the desired results are not always achieved. Therefore, Dr. Amit Prasad stressed the immediate need for a vaccine to protect people from pork tapeworm infections. This vaccine can also be administered to newborns, providing them with protection from an early age.
The development of this vaccine holds great promise in preventing epilepsy associated with pork tapeworm infections, offering hope to individuals and communities affected by this disease.
