Epidemic+typhus

=__**Disease/Drug of interest** : __= Epidemic Typhus/Doxycycline =__**Motivation and Background** : __= Epidemic typhus is an infectious disease prominent in central Africa, Asia, and many portions of South America. Epidemic typhus is considered to be a Rickettsial infection, meaning it is caused by bacteria from the genera //Rickettsia// [1]. Although typhus can be treated with success, left untreated it is fatal 20%-60% of the time [2]. Because of the mortality rate, it is absolutely necessary to treat epidemic typhus quickly. When epidemic typhus becomes prominent in a population, it is able to spread fast in close quarters. This means epidemic typhus has the potential to harm large populations in a very short period of time. Most commonly epidemic typhus is spread through body lice (figure 1); however, epidemic typhus can also be spread through flying squirrel ecto-parasites and, much less commonly, ticks. Up until recent years when flying squirrel ecto-parasites were discovered, lice were thought to be the only primary vectors of epidemic typhus [2]. Due to this, epidemic typhus is generally found in refugee populations, homeless populations, impoverished areas, and areas where war or natural disasters have recently occurred [1]. Often times travelers or those seeking to help impoverished areas are warned to be careful of lice when going to these areas. Because epidemic typhus is most prominent in impoverished, poor areas, an effective and cheap method that can be produced in large quantities is needed. Epidemic typhus is more predominant in the colder months due to closer contact to others and more clothing items. In the winter, coats and jackets are not washed as frequently as other articles of clothing, and frequent wear can provide lice a safe place to live. The promotion of lice can mean the promotion of epidemic typhus.

[[image:vdsstream/7617467_orig.jpg width="311" height="237"]]
=__**Target Information** : __= 30S Ribosomal subunit

** Size ** :
Considered to be a very small subunit (compared to the 50s) composed of 21 ribosomal proteins.

30S Ribosomal subunit located in the ribosomes.
 * Location ** :

** Function in a normal cell ** :
The ribosomal subunit allows tRNA to bind to mRNA to facilitate protein synthesis. Because Doxycycline prevents tRNA from binding to mRNA, protein synthesis cannot continue. By preventing the bacteria from producing protein, the bacteria is unable to survive.

__ **Drug Information**** : ** __

 * Schematic figure of drug ** :


 * Formula ** : C22 H24 N2 O8

Because doxycycline is so widely used for various bacterial infections, there are a wide variety of names used for it on the market. A few names include Acticlate, labeled by Aqua Pharmaceuticals, Atridox, labeled by TOLMAR Inc., Doryx, labeled by Mayne Pharma, and Alodox, labeled by O Cu Soft Inc. [5]. Seemingly hundreds of companies in multiple countries produce this drug.
 * Molecular weight ** : 444.43 g/mol
 * CAS Number ** : 564-25-0
 * Delivery method ** : Generally delivered by mouth through a coated capsule, but can also come as a tablet or syrup.
 * Side effects ** : Diarrhea, itching of the rectum and/or genitalia, and a sore mouth. More severe side effects can include a severe headache, blurred vision, and skin rashes.
 * Other names ** : Naphthacenecarboxamide
 * Maker or company ** :


 * Is it patented ** ? Doxycycline does not seem to have a patent on it due to th e large amount of companies that are able to create, distribute, and label it.
 * Clinical Trials Info ** : Over 200 clinical trials have been done involving doxycycline due to its flexible use. It has been tested on those with anything from acne vulgaris to multiple sclerosis.

__** Origin ** : __ Not much seems to be available about the origin; however, it was first marketed in the 1960s and received FDA approval in 1967.

Doxycycline is not a unique antibiotic. Many other antibiotics are on the market with similar qualities. Although doxycycline has been shown to be more effective with fewer side effects when it comes to specific bacterial infections, other similar drugs means there is a large amount of competition and equally as many alternatives Doxycycline can be used to attack any kind of bacteria that requires protein synthesis for survival, meaning any bacterial diseases have the potential to be treated with doxycycline.
 * Alternatives to this drug ** :
 * Other uses ** :

References:
[1] McQuiston, J. Infectious diseases related to travel. //CDC Traveler’s Health// **2015,** 3, (81).

[2] Bechah, Y.; Capo, C.; Mege, J. L.; Raoult, D., Epidemic typhus. //Lancet Infect Dis// **2008,** //8// (7), 417-26.

[3] Raoult, D.; Drancourt, M., Antimicrobial therapy of rickettsial diseases. //Antimicrob Agents Chemother// **1991,** //35// (12), 2457-62.

[4] Bethesda, Doxycycline. //U.S. National Library of Medicine// **2010**.

[5] Wishart D.S.; Knox C.; Guo A.C.; Shrivastava S.; Hassanali M.; Stothard P.; Chang Z.; Woolsey J., Doxycycline. //DrugBank// **2005**.

[6] 564-25-0. //SciFinder// **2012.**

[7] ClinicalTrials.gov. //U.S. National Institute of Health//.