Essential malaria parasite genes revealed

NIH: Researchers have exploited a quirk in the genetic make-up of the deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to create 38,000 mutant strains and then determine which of the organism’s genes are essential to its growth and survival. P. falciparum is responsible for about half of all malaria cases and 90 percent of all malaria deaths. New information about the parasite’s critical gene repertoire could help investigators prioritize targets for future antimalarial drug development.

New malaria vaccine up to 100% effective in early trial

London: A new malaria vaccine has been shown to be 100% effective for at least 10 weeks after the final dose, according to new research published in Nature.  The trials, led by the University of Tübingen, involved immunising 35 people who had never had malaria before with varying doses of the vaccine. The vaccine incorporated live Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ), cells from the malaria-causing parasite usually injected into the bloodstream after a mosquito’s bite, alongside the antimalarial drug chloroquine.

Investigational malaria vaccine demonstrates considerable protection in Malian adults for duration of malaria season

NIH: An investigational malaria vaccine given intravenously was well-tolerated and protected a significant proportion of healthy adults against infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria — the deadliest form of the disease — for the duration of the malaria season, according to new findings published in the February 15th issue of the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. The study participants live in Mali, Africa, where they are naturally exposed to the parasite.

Chemistry-based approach reveals new target in fight against malaria

Broad Institute: After screening a library of over 100,000 small molecules, researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have identified compounds that act on a novel target in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.The study resulted in the publication of a paper (available online September 7 inNature] and an open, data-rich resource for the malaria research community called theMalaria Therapeutics Response Portal(MTRP).

New single-dose malaria treatment could eventually help millions

TheConversation: A new drug that stops the malaria parasite in its tracks, and could be delivered in a single dose, has researchers excited about treatment prospects for the disease. The newly discovered synthetic compound attacks the malaria parasite at multiple stages of its life cycle. It promises an effective new mode for drug delivery that could evade the bug’s emergent resistance.

Cheap, single-dose treatment kills malaria

Scimex: International scientists, including Australians, have developed a new drug which kills the parasite that causes malaria, and it should cost as little as a dollar per pill, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives in the developing world. The new treatment works by stopping the parasite from making proteins it needs to survive, and has been shown to work in mice - it's now entering preclinical trials.

Discovery of a novel antimalarial compound

Dundee: The details of the discovery, properties and mechanism of action of a novel antimalarial compound, DDD107498, have been published in the journal Nature. DDD107498 has the potential to treat malaria patients in a single dose, including those with malaria parasites resistant to current medications, and help reduce the transmission of the parasite. The compound was identified through a collaboration between the University of Dundee’s Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).

Mosquito molecule that helps malaria spread

Scimex: An Australian-led study has revealed the shape of a particular molecule, found in the gut of mosquitoes, which the malaria parasite uses to infect the insects so they can spread it to other species, such as humans. The researchers discovered a particular region on the molecule that malaria-blocking vaccines bind to when they block the transmission on the parasite, and say that the results will aid in the development of the next-generation of antimalarial vaccines.

Malaria is a bloody picky parasite

Scimex: A study by Scottish and Australian researchers has reported that malaria parasites behave differently, depending on the age of human red blood cells, meaning that some drugs which work against a certain malaria species might not be effectively against another. The researchers explain that while some malaria parasites only attacks mature red blood cells, another tends to prefer to attack immature ones, which gives rise to opportunities for different parasites to hide from the effects of antimalarial treatments.

Genetic discovery could have important implications for how malaria spreads in humans

London: An emerging zoonotic malaria has been shown to be caused by two genetically distinct Plasmodium knowlesi parasite subpopulations associated with different monkey host species in Malaysia, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. The authors believe this could have important implications for how the parasite adapts and spreads in humans.

Study in Nigeria finds 1 in 10 malaria drugs are poor quality

London: Substandard medicines more prevalent than fakes in world’s most malaria-burdened country A rigorous analysis of more than 3,000 antimalarials purchased in Enugu, Nigeria found 9.3% to be of poor quality, according to new research published in PLOS ONE. Researchers found 1.2% of the samples to be falsified and 1.3% to be degraded, but raised bigger concerns about 6.8% being of substandard manufacture, leaving patients at risk of not receiving the correct treatment dose and potentially contributing to the development of resistance to the main drug used to treat malaria.

Using Viagra to control malaria

London: A new treatment to prevent the transmission of malaria parasites from humans to mosquitoes, thereby preventing further spread within the population, could be possible thanks to the stiffening powers of Viagra. The findings, published in PLOS Pathogens, reveal how the drug could cause the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to be trapped in the spleen by changing its shape. The research was conducted by frech researchers.

Final trial results of the world's most advanced malaria vaccine

London: The first malaria vaccine candidate (RTS,S/AS01) to reach phase 3 clinical testing is partially effective against clinical disease in young African children up to 4 years after vaccination, according to final trial data, published in The Lancet. The results suggest that the vaccine could prevent a substantial number of cases of clinical malaria, especially in areas of high transmission.

Hope for an effective malaria therapy with just one tablet

Vienna: Approximately 584,000 people worldwide die of malaria each year. The epidemic strongly associated with poverty claims most of its victims in Africa, where it particularly affects the weakest, children and pregnant women. Current therapies have to be taken over several days to be effective against malaria. "Due to supply bottlenecks, but also the quick reduction of symptoms, the administration of therapies over several days is often inadequate which can lead to treatment failure and ultimately represent a threat to the patients", so Michael Ramharter of the Infectiology and Tropical Medicine Division of the University for Internal Medicine I at MedUni Vienna on the occasion of the World Malaria Day. First results of a multicentre study with Ramharter as "Principal Investigator" now provide hope for the malaria therapy with just one dose.

When good cells go bad: how malaria turns our red blood cells into killers

Melbourne: Infection with parasites changes the shape of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) resulting in cells becoming stuck in brain blood vessels. This finding may provide an alternative way to combat malaria that could lead to new drug targets to help RBCs resist being transformed during infection. Published in the PNAS today, Professor Leann Tilley said lifegiving RBCs are turned into potential killers upon invasion by malaria parasites.

How blood group O protects against malaria

Karolinska: It has long been known that people with blood type O are protected from dying of severe malaria. In a study published in  Nature Medicine , a team of Scandinavian scientists explains the mechanisms behind the protection that blood type O provides, and  suggest that the selective pressure imposed by malaria may contribute to the variable global distribution of ABO blood groups in the human population.

Artemisinin-naphthoquine for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Cochrane: This Cochrane Review summarises trials evaluating the effects of artemisinin-naphthoquine compared to other artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating adults and children with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

Medtech Meets Cleantech: Malaria Vaccine Candidate Produced from Algae

UCSD. US: Cheap, green technique advances efforts toward malaria transmission vaccine in humans.

A single dose of primaquine added to malaria treatment to prevent malaria transmission

Cochrane: We conducted a review of the effects of adding a single dose (or short course) of primaquine to malaria treatment with the aim of reducing the transmission of malaria. We searched the literature up to 05 January 2015 and included 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one quasi-RCT.

A single dose of primaquine added to malaria treatment to prevent malaria transmission

Cochrane: We conducted a review of the effects of adding a single dose (or short course) of primaquine to malaria treatment with the aim of reducing the transmission of malaria. We searched the literature up to 05 January 2015 and included 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one quasi-RCT.