Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of glycosidase inhibitors for inhibiting the conversion of a pro-toxin to a toxin by a glycosidase enzyme. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of glycosidase inhibitors for the treatment of malaria, endotoxic shock or septic shock.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing clinical manifestations associated with diseases caused by infectious organisms which express antigens which in the patient stimulate secretion of harmful levels of at least one cytokine, other than diseases caused by organisms which stimulate secretion of cytokines only by expression of lipopolysaccharide, which method comprises administering to a human in need thereof an effective non-toxic amount of a material selected from the group consisting of inhibitors and immunogens wherein said inhibitors are pharmacologically acceptable materials which, in vitro, reduce or abolish secretion, by at least one of human monocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages, of tumour necrosis factor following stimulation with a phospholipid-containing; tumour necrosis factor-inducing antigen other than lipopolysaccharide, and wherein said immunogens are pharmacologically acceptable materials comprising at least one B-cell epitope and which stimulate production of antibodies which, in vitro, red