Articles tagged with Malaria
A massive effort to sequence and compare complete or partial genomes of Plasmodium falciparum has revealed nearly 47,000 genetic variations. This data will help researchers understand the parasite's evolution and study malarial drug resistance. New antigens identified may be potential targets for new therapeutics or vaccines.
A new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington found that malaria increases HIV transmission to sex partners by up to 10 times. HIV-infected individuals are also more susceptible to malaria infections due to their compromised immune systems, fueling a rise in adult malaria-infection rates.
The GreeneChip System is a comprehensive tool for differential diagnosis of infectious diseases, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It can be used on various samples and has been tested with positive results in cases where other methods failed to implicate a microorganism.
A new global malaria map is being developed to address the lack of accurate information on malaria endemicity, which will enable targeted treatment and resource allocation. The Malaria Atlas Project uses statistical approaches to fill in gaps in data and create a comprehensive map of malaria risk worldwide.
Researchers are creating a global map of malaria risk to identify populations most at risk and predict disease impact. The Malaria Atlas Project will use satellite data, population censuses, and electronic information to create a detailed map of malaria transmission in Africa.
Two young Australian researchers, Dr Denise Doolan and Dr Stephen Turner, have been awarded $1 million each to pursue biomedical research. Their funding will support the development of vaccines against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza, and malaria.
Researchers have improved understanding of a new malaria treatment using artesunate suppositories, which show potential as a first-line treatment for moderately severe malaria. However, patients vary in how well they process the drug, highlighting the need for further clinical studies.
Researchers developed a safer method for large-scale malaria screening using PCR tests in urine and saliva, instead of blood. This approach reduces the risk of spreading HIV and other diseases, while maintaining high sensitivity for clinically significant infections.
Research suggests that women in their first pregnancy with placental malaria are three times more likely to develop preeclampsia. High levels of sVEGFR1 and VEGF were found in these mothers, indicating a conflict between the mother's and fetus's immune responses.
Long-term travelers face higher risk of malaria due to diverse itineraries and varying medical care quality. Individualized strategies are crucial, with advice from travel medicine specialists, focusing on personal protective measures and reliable medical facilities.
A new study provides a reliable way to diagnose cerebral malaria in children through changes to the retina. This discovery could greatly reduce child mortality rates from this major childhood killer.
The Lancet evaluates the five candidates vying for the Global Fund's top job, with Hilde Johnson and Michel Sidibe emerging as leaders. The Editorial highlights the importance of partnership, evaluation, and accelerated results in optimizing grant performance and mobilizing resources.
A randomized trial found that high-dose folate supplementation increased the likelihood of treatment failure when used with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria in pregnant Kenyan women. The study advises against using high-dose folate supplements in antenatal clinics where sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is used to treat or prevent malaria.
African trial finds amodiaquine a safe and effective treatment for malaria in pregnant women, overcoming resistance to chloroquine and SP. The study suggests amodiaquine alone or in combination with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine as an effective option for malaria treatment until artesunate-based therapy is deemed safe.
A new approach to treating malaria in pregnant women in West Africa has been found to be both safe and effective. The study, published in The Lancet, used the drug amodiaquine, either alone or in combination with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, to almost completely eliminate the malaria parasite without serious side effects.
The Burmese junta's inadequate response to HIV, TB, malaria, and avian flu has led to weakened laboratory infrastructure and a lack of skilled personnel. This hinders the country's ability to effectively control these diseases, with high rates of infection and rising resistance reported.
Researchers found that tailored dietary advice delivered through an internet shopping system led to participants buying foods lower in saturated fat. This study demonstrates the potential of low-cost technologies to motivate users to change their behavior.
HIV-positive patients with low CD4 cell counts face increased risk of malaria treatment failure, highlighting the need for tailored treatments to address immune suppression. The study emphasizes the importance of combining antimalarial and antiretroviral therapies to maximize effects on both diseases.
Mexico's health system reform has led to significant improvements in healthcare access and outcomes, with notable reductions in malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child mortality. The reforms have also increased the use of mammography and pap smear tests, benefiting millions of people.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Makerere University in Uganda have identified how the malaria parasite conceals itself in the placenta, paving the way for a potential vaccine. The study found that several receptors on the placenta are involved in binding to the parasite, contrary to previous laboratory studies.
The Lancet calls for greater transparency and accountability in the selection of a new Global Fund Executive Director. The current secretive process could undermine the organization's ability to improve global health, according to an Editorial published in The Lancet.
Researchers used real-time imaging to track malaria infections in live mice, discovering that the parasite uses dead liver cells to cloak and transport itself back into the bloodstream. The study provides insights into the parasite's complex life cycle and potential ways to treat malaria.
Researchers found that poorer countries with less-developed health systems are more likely to implement health grants effectively, contrary to expectations of low absorptive capacity. This is attributed to increased political stability and attention paid to resources in these nations.
The Lancet has teamed up with PRODUCT RED to produce a (RED) issue devoted to HIV/AIDS, contributing $30,000 to the cause. The initiative aims to convince companies to develop RED products and donate profits to the Global Fund.
Scientists have identified two genes that Wolbachia manipulates when infecting the fruit fly Drosophila simulans, shedding light on the genetic basis of Wolbachia infection. This discovery could lead to the development of genetically modified mosquitoes that can help control malaria transmission.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel technique to insert genes into the P. falciparum genome, providing valuable information about its virulence and resistance to antimalarial drugs. This breakthrough should significantly speed up research efforts to bring malaria under control.
The University of Leeds is developing a new material for mosquito nets that uses its structure to kill mosquitoes, reducing the need for chemical-treated nets. This approach has the potential to break the cycle of insect resistance to insecticides, making it a safer and cheaper method of protection.
Research conducted by Fundación BBVA and IDIBAPS found that intermittent treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine significantly reduces the incidence of clinical malaria in children under one year old, with a 22.2% decrease in cases reported. The study also assessed the safety and efficacy of this treatment in pregnant volunteers.
A new study shows that a single dose of an anti-malarial drug can significantly lower the risk of malaria in infants. Infants given this treatment had a one-fifth reduction in hospital admissions compared to those receiving a placebo.
A recent study by Scripps Research Institute has identified novel immunogens and genes involved in the development of drug resistance, which could lead to new vaccine targets. The research uses gene-chip technology to analyze the genomes of Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
Researchers identified the AgDscam gene, essential for recognizing a broad range of pathogens in mosquitoes. Silencing this gene increases susceptibility to bacterial infections and malaria, highlighting its potential as a target for novel control methods.
The production and distribution of counterfeit antimalarial drugs pose a significant threat to public health, particularly in poor and developing countries. Researchers are calling for stricter regulations and detection methods to combat the issue, which has serious implications for malaria control efforts.
A fake malaria drug, artesunate, was found to be contaminated with only 20% of the active ingredient, leading to the death of a 23-year-old man in East Burma. The study highlights the risks of counterfeit antimalarial medicines in Africa, where genuine artesunate is scarce and expensive.
Researchers examined the mosquito immune system and found that it employs similar factors to defend against different Plasmodium species. Boosting the mosquito's capacity to fight malaria parasites could be achieved through exposure to certain microbes or compounds.
The US Senate has passed a bill allowing unlimited foreign nurses to work in the country. The move aims to address the ongoing nursing shortage, but critics argue it is a temporary fix that neglects funding local workforce development and fair compensation for countries supplying nurses.
Researchers found that malaria and potato famine pathogens use similar protein sequences to infect cells, but deliver different toxic proteins. This discovery could lead to the development of a dual-purpose drug targeting both Plasmodium falciparum and Phytophthora infestans.
A new study suggests that an individual's unique genetic makeup can affect their risk of developing severe anemia from malaria. Researchers have identified specific genes and DNA sequences that control the production of MIF, a protein linked to malarial anemia.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that seasonal childhood anaemia in West Africa is associated with the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype. The research suggests a link between this genetic variation and the development of anaemia during periods of high malaria prevalence.
A group of experts allege that the World Bank has neglected malaria treatment for years, concealing its expenditures and downscaling its staff. In response, the World Bank defends its efforts, citing research on the challenges of linking funding to health outcomes.
Malaria infection hampers red blood cell production, leading to severe anemia. A new study reveals MIF as the key immune player in this process.
A study assessing combined interventions found co-trimoxazole, ART, and insecticide-treated bed nets substantially reduced malaria frequency in HIV-infected adults. The treatments had a cumulative protective effect on malaria incidence, with co-trimoxazole lowering rates by 76%, ART and co-trimoxazole by 92%, and all three by 95%.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have made a significant breakthrough in producing a chemical precursor of artemisinin, the best drug available today to cure malaria. The team's goal is to develop a low-cost alternative that can be widely distributed in developing countries, where the current cost is a major barrier.
The malaria parasite affects antigen-presenting dendritic cells in mice, reducing their ability to activate helper T cells and produce cytokines. This impairment leads to the failure of B-cell activation and antibody production, compromising the immune system's response to infection.
Researchers have discovered the structure of Anopheles gambiae's 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase, a key enzyme in its oxidative defense mechanism. This finding could lead to the development of novel antimalarial agents by inhibiting this enzyme and disrupting the malaria parasite's lifecycle.
A new study by an international team finds that climate change may contribute to malaria's rise, with rising temperatures creating favorable conditions for mosquitoes and pathogen development. The researchers also suggest that other factors such as drug resistance and human migration play roles in the disease's resurgence.
The COMDIS programme aims to improve healthcare quality and coverage for the poor and vulnerable by developing practical and affordable interventions. Effective healthcare systems are crucial in preventing the spread of disease, and the project focuses on addressing bottlenecks and operational constraints to achieve this goal.
A new study shows that seasonal intermittent preventive treatment significantly reduces malaria episodes in children under five, with an 86% decrease observed. The treatment, which involves giving antimalarial medication at defined times without prior testing, has the potential to save millions of lives in Africa.
A new malaria forecasting tool developed by scientists at the University of Liverpool can predict epidemics of malaria up to five months in advance, using climate variability. The model will assist doctors and health care providers in preventing and controlling the disease.
Researchers developed an early-warning system that uses population vulnerability, rainfall, and health surveillance to predict changes in seasonal disease patterns. The system provides health service managers with warnings of changes in epidemic risk five months before the peak malaria season.
A recent study suggests that controlling neglected tropical diseases like leprosy and sleeping sickness may help combat the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Integrating these efforts could provide a cost-effective solution to control or eliminate seven neglected tropical diseases for just $200 million annually.
Research suggests that iron and folic acid supplementation may not benefit all children, particularly those without iron deficiency. However, it may still be beneficial for young children in low-malaria transmission areas due to its role in motor and cognitive development.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have determined how P. falciparum parasites can turn on one cloaking gene and keep dozens of others silent until needed. This discovery reveals the mechanism behind the parasite's survival and has implications for developing new therapies to interfere with its immune evasion strategies.
Researchers have discovered a unique architecture of the Duffy-Binding Like (DBL) domain that allows the malaria parasite to bind to red blood cells. This finding may lead to the development of specific drugs that can target the parasite without affecting healthy blood cells.
Research in three countries found that uncontrolled use of artemisinin led to resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Mutations in the gene SERCA-type Pftpase6 were associated with this loss of sensitivity. The study highlights the need for increased vigilance and rapid deployment of drug combinations.
A team of researchers has discovered a parasite enzyme, PfSUB2, that sheds sticky surface proteins, allowing the parasite to invade red blood cells. The discovery could lead to the development of new antimalarial drugs that target this enzyme.
A recent clinical trial in Ghana found that IPTi reduced malaria by 25 percent and anemia by 20 percent in children up to 15 months old. Researchers are discussing the results at a symposium on IPTi, which has shown clear potential as a new prevention strategy for fighting malaria in Africa. Similar large-scale implementation studies a...
A new study suggests that malaria may play a key role in mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy, with high levels of proinflammatory cytokines stimulating HIV replication. Researchers are calling for further investigation and consideration of routine testing and treatment to reduce fetal infection risks.
New study in Cameroon confirms declining effectiveness of malaria drugs like sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine, highlighting need for alternative treatments. Researchers highlight importance of monitoring resistance and patient adherence to effective treatment regimens.
Researchers have found that two genetic conditions, sickle cell trait and a mild version of thalassemia, offer natural protection against malaria but can be rendered ineffective when occurring together. This study of Kenyan children highlights the complexity of genetic interactions in naturally acquired immunity.
The RTS,S/AS02A vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of clinical malaria by 30% and severe malaria by 58% in a trial involving over 2000 Mozambican children. The vaccine's efficacy did not wane after 12 months of follow-up, providing sustained protection against clinical malaria for at least 18 months.