A group of chemical compounds used by a species of tropical seaweed to ward off fungus attacks may have promising antimalarial properties for humans. The compounds are part of a unique chemical signaling system that seaweeds use to battle enemies – and that may provide a wealth of potential new pharmaceutical compounds. Using a novel analytical process, researchers at the Georgia … [Read more...]
Fighting Malaria with Oil and Fungus
Mosquitoes transmit the parasite, Plasmodium, that causes malaria, one the deadliest diseases on Earth. Recent research could turn the tables on the mosquitoes by using fungal parasites to kill them before they can do any damage. 800px-Larve_de_moustique Some species of fungus feed on the mosquitoes before they even develop into their flying stage. Mosquitoes live in the water before turning … [Read more...]
Malaria Countries and Map
Geographic Distribution of Malaria Around the World Where malaria is found depends mainly on climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfalls. Malaria is transmitted in tropical and subtropical areas, where: Anopheles mosquitoes can survive and multiply Malaria parasites can complete their growth cycle in the mosquitoes ("extrinsic incubation period"). Temperature is … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention
Malaria prevention consists of a combination of mosquito avoidance measures and chemoprophylaxis. Although very efficacious, none of the recommended interventions are 100% effective. Mosquito Avoidance Measures Because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn. Contact with mosquitoes can be reduced by … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment
Malaria can be a severe, potentially fatal disease (especially when caused by Plasmodium falciparum) and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Patients who have severe P. falciparum malaria or who cannot take oral medications should be given the treatment by continuous intravenous infusion. Most drugs used in treatment are active against the parasite forms in the blood (the form … [Read more...]
Professor Working on Malaria Vaccine that Will Inoculate Mosquitos When They Bite People
The same menace that spreads malaria – the mosquito bite – could help wipe out the deadly disease, according to researchers working on a new vaccine at Tulane University. The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative(MVI), established in 1999 through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, announced today a collaboration with Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention and Control
Malaria Prevention Prevention of malaria can aim at either: preventing infection, by avoiding bites by parasite-carrying mosquitoes, or preventing disease, by using antimalarial drugs prophylactically. The drugs do not prevent initial infection through a mosquito bite, but they prevent the development of malaria parasites in the blood, which are the forms that cause disease. This type of … [Read more...]
Travel Information
Malaria, a common and life-threatening disease, is a risk in tropical and subtropical areas of over 100 countries. An estimated 30,000 international travelers fall ill with the disease annually. Fever occurring in a traveller one week or more after entering a malaria risk area, and up to 3 months after departure, is a medical emergency that should be investigated urgently. Prompt diagnosis … [Read more...]
A Research Agenda for Malaria Eradication: Vector Control
Abstract: Different challenges are presented by the variety of malaria transmission environments present in the world today. In each setting, improved control for reduction of morbidity is a necessary first step towards the long-range goal of malaria eradication and a priority for regions where the disease burden is high. For many geographic areas where transmission rates are low to … [Read more...]
A Research Agenda for Malaria Eradication: Drugs
Abstract: Antimalarial drugs will be essential tools at all stages of malaria elimination along the path towards eradication, including the early control or “attack” phase to drive down transmission and the later stages of maintaining interruption of transmission, preventing reintroduction of malaria, and eliminating the last residual foci of infection.Drugs will continue to be used to treat … [Read more...]