Malaria parasites that develop resistance to the most effective class of anti-malarial drugs may become susceptible to other treatments as a result. The discovery could reveal potential new drug options, which would be essential in the event of resistance to the best anti-malarials. In a new study, researchers have shown how the anti-malarials artemisinins attack the malaria parasite by … [Read more...]
WHO Launches Program to Counter Drug-Resistant Malaria
On World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization has launched an emergency program in Phnom Penh to tackle a worrying regional trend - a strain of malaria that is proving resistant to the most important anti-malarial drug. Six years ago, health researchers were worried after a strain of malaria in western Cambodia began to show resistance to the world’s key malaria treatment - … [Read more...]
Gene Allowing Malaria Parasite to Survive in Mosquitos ID’d
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) researchers have identified a gene that helps malaria-causing parasites elude the mosquito immune system, allowing the microbes to transmit efficiently to people when the insect takes a blood meal. The findings appear in the May 9, 2013, online issue of Science. Background Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite from the … [Read more...]
Africa Faces $7 Billion Funding Gap to Fight Malaria
African countries face a $7-billion funding gap to control and eliminate malaria. To discuss this issue among others, African ministers of health came together at the African Union headquarters to commemorate World Malaria Day. Every year 660,000 people die from malaria, and 90 percent of those deaths are in Africa. Eliminating malaria by 2015 is one of the United Nations' Millennium … [Read more...]
Chorangiosis Implicated in Pregnant Women Infected with Malaria
A passing remark launched the project that will be described at the Experimental Biology 2013 conference in Boston on Monday. A poster, presented by undergraduate Ashley McMichael from Albany State University, has preliminary data that hint that there is an association between a rare pregnancy condition and malaria. The remark that launched the project was made by a collaborator of Julie Moore, … [Read more...]
Scientists Describe Breakthrough in Anti-Malarial Precurser
Scientists from Amyris published in the journal Nature the details of a major breakthrough in the field of synthetic biology that allows for the production of a key precursor to Artemisinin, the key ingredient in the world’s most effective and preferred drug in combating malaria. Earlier today, pharmaceutical company Sanofi announced the launch of large-scale industrial production of Artemisinin … [Read more...]
Cancer Drugs May Help in Preventing Malaria
In the fight against malaria, cancer drugs are far from being considered a useful tool. But new research reveals that liver cells, which are first infected by Plasmodium parasites after their transmission by mosquito bite, actually behave in similar ways to cancer cells. The work also shows that with the help of cancer drugs, the liver can become a hostile environment for the malaria parasite. … [Read more...]
Mobile Technology Used to Fight Malaria Drug Counterfeiting
African Social Enterprise mPedigree Networks has been running a program in Nigeria and Ghana that allows consumers to verify the authenticity of anti-malaria drugs by using mobile phone SMS technology. With the new service, patients taking a range of medication and send a free text message to get an instant response as to whether the medications are genuine. Counterfeit medicines often contain … [Read more...]
Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Might Help Treat Serious Malaria Cases
Each year, an estimated 500,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa develop the most serious form of malaria, so-called cerebral malaria. Experts say many of those who do not die from this parasitic infection go on, years later, to develop memory problems and learning difficulties. Now, researchers say, a study on mice may indicate that these malaria-induced cognitive impairments could be averted … [Read more...]
Malaria Programs at Risk Due to Funding Cuts
Funding for programs to control malaria and provide universal treatment for the mosquito-borne disease is falling short of international goals, according to the World Health Organization. In its annual report, the WHO also warns that the latest drugs could soon become ineffective against some deadly malarial parasites. Ami Diabate, has brought her three children to a rural clinic to get the … [Read more...]