April 25 is the World Malaria Day
Malaria is the deadliest vector-borne disease that is spread through female Anopheles mosquitoes. It kills more than one million people worldwide, mainly children and pregnant women. The reason behind this is the poor hygienic conditions, poor control methods, poor diagnostics, increasing complications and drug-resistant cases malaria that make treatment difficult. To overcome these challenges several agencies and organizations all over the world are investing in qualitative research on malaria, be it drug and vaccine development, rapid diagnosis or studying the complications. Here are some latest researches pertaining to malaria that look promising.
1. A step forward to combat drug-resistant malaria:
Drug-resistant malaria was first reported in early 1960s, where the most potent drug chloroquine failed to show its effect on Falciparum malaria. In India, the first case was reported much later in the year 1973. Since then cholorquine resistant malaria slowly spread all over the world, and is still prevalent. But soon we could have a new way to treat cholorquine-resistant cases of malaria. A recent research carried out at Australian National University (ANU) and Germany’s University of Heidelberg found that the protein in malarial parasite which is responsible for drug resistance can be rendered useless with slight modification in dosing pattern of the drug chloroquine. The study suggests that by simply increasing the dose of chloroquine and its frequency of administration, the drug resistant mechanism of the parasite may fall apart. Here’s some more information on the research: Chloroquine is now effective against malaria again!.
2. Soon we could have a malaria vaccine:
A cheap, effective vaccine would help in reducing a significant burden of malaria and we are not very far away from having one. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified a method to produce key proteins of the malaria parasite in a faster way. These proteins when used in the vaccine would trigger production of antibodies and offer protection against malaria. This research has significantly contributed to the development of cheaper malaria vaccine, which is the primary requirement for majority of the population prone to malaria.
3. A novel method to control spread of malaria:
Anopheles mosquito is the main carrier of malaria parasite. So, to control the spread of malaria it is important to prevent breeding of these mosquitoes. Scientists from Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Perugia and Imperial College London, found a method to interfere with fertility of the female Anopheles mosquito. This interference affects reproduction of the mosquito making it produce fewer offspring carrying the parasite.
4. A new molecule tailored to kill Plasmodium:
Till the day we figure out a better control method for preventing spread of malaria, effective treatment remains the mainstay for reducing the number of death cases. A recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry has revealed that a protein called Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) plays an important role in survival of malaria parasite. The study further analysed the potential of a group of compounds called 7-azaindoles that interfere with HSP60 and help in killing the parasite. Based on the laboratory results, it was concluded that 7-azaindoles effectively kill the parasite without affecting the red blood cells (RBCs). Read more about the research: Now a new method to help treat malaria.
5. A promising drug for cerebral malaria:
Cerebral malaria is a common complication of malaria, where the parasite causes brain damage in malaria patients and creates life-threatening situation. Scientists at Toronto General Research Institute, Canada demonstrated that the drug rosiglitazone, used for diabetic patients, prevented brain defects in mice at the onset of cerebral malaria, and increased their chances of survival. If these results are replicated in humans, the number of deaths due to cerebral malaria can be reduced to a great extent.
Source: http://health.india.com
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