New targeted treatment for dengue

Asst Prof Ashley St. John and researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered that tryptase, an enzyme in human cells that acts like scissors to cut up nearby proteins, is responsible for blood vessel leakage in severe dengue hemorrhagic fever. The finding suggests a possible new treatment strategy using the tryptase inhibitor, nafamostat mesylate, for severe dengue disease—a potentially fatal condition for which no targeted treatment is currently available.

• CNA News, 29 August 2019