Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered how the human body fights off a deadly parasite found in Africa that causes lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis, a debilitating disease that affects more than 120 million people worldwide.

The discovery could lead to new drugs to prevent and treat the disease, which is spread by mosquitoes.

The researchers found that the human body produces a protein called CD36 that binds to a protein on the surface of the parasite, called MfCSP, and helps the immune system recognize and destroy the parasite.

"Our findings provide new insights into the immune response to lymphatic filariasis," said study leader Dr. Michael Eisen, a professor of molecular biology at UC Berkeley. "By understanding how the human body fights off this parasite, we may be able to develop new strategies to prevent and treat the disease."

Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic infection caused by parasitic worms that live in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels that carries fluid throughout the body. The infection can cause swelling in the limbs, genitals, and breasts, and can lead to disfigurement and disability.

The disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It is estimated that more than 1 billion people are at risk of infection.

Current treatments for lymphatic filariasis are not always effective and can have side effects. The new research could lead to the development of more effective and safer drugs to treat the disease.

"Our findings provide a potential target for new drugs to prevent and treat lymphatic filariasis," said Eisen. "We are excited about the possibility of translating our research into new therapies that can help millions of people around the world."

The research was published in the journal Nature Microbiology.