TOMSK, Apr 17 – RIA Tomsk. Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) together with partners developed drug a for the treatment of lethal viral disease of shrimps; drug was tested in Mexico where shrimp trade is developed, and showed high efficiency, the press service of the university reported on Monday.

It is specified that the drug "Argovit" developed in TPU with nanoparticles of silver has the blasting effect on viruses, bacteria and funguses. The company Vektor-Vita (Novosibirsk), Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of National Autonomous University of Mexico and National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (Spain) are engaged in the creation of medicines on its basis.

"Drug on the basis of silver nanoparticles was tested in Mexico for treatment of a lethal viral disease of shrimps – a white spot virus. The research showed that after administration of drug survival of the infected shrimps made 80%. Further drug can help Mexico's aqua farms to to fight against epidemic of this virus", – is said in the report.

According to the press service, the epidemic of the virus of white spots of shrimp lasts in Mexico for several years, destroying millions of individuals. Such a virus is not transmitted to person, but it causes great losses to farms. Several attempts were made to treat this disease, but to date there was no effective method of controlling it.

"The existing antiviral drugs influence viruses indirectly, mainly increasing immunity of the patient, but at the same time directly without killing a virus. "Argovit" is aimed just at destruction of the virus", – the head of the Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry TPU Alexey Pestryakov is quoted in the report.

As reports TPU, "Argovit" is tested more than on 25 types of diseases. Medicinal preparations underwent certification and are applied in a veterinary medicine today: with their help doctors treat various viral and bacterial diseases at cattle, fur animals, and also pets. In plans of scientists – to certify the development already as a medicine for people.