The Phase 3 study confirmed that combining the RTS,S vaccine with antimalarial drugs reduces clinical malaria episodes, severe malaria cases, and deaths from malaria in young children by nearly two-thirds compared to either intervention alone. The vaccine-drug combination provided greater than 90% protection against malaria episodes.
SourcePATH·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 22, 2023
A study by Cornell University researchers found that current methods for measuring malaria parasite multiplication rates vastly overestimate the actual rates, which has significant implications for vaccine efficacy and understanding of drug resistance.
A systematic review by the University of Adelaide found combining pyrethroid insecticide with chlorfenapyr improves its effectiveness in treating malaria-preventing mosquito nets. The WHO has updated its guidelines to include these new recommendations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that dual active ingredient insecticide-treated nets are effective in preventing malaria. The study showed that these nets can control the spread of the disease when traditional pyrethroid-based nets become less effective due to resistance.
A new study reveals that mosquitoes use a specific receptor in their ears to modulate their hearing, which is crucial for reproduction and mating. This discovery could lead to the development of novel insecticides or mating disruptors to control mosquito populations and reduce human disease.
A new malaria vaccine candidate has shown promising results in a cohort of Tanzanian infants, with substantial anti-RH5 immune responses achieved safely through vaccination. The vaccine targets the RH5 protein used by the malaria pathogen to invade red blood cells, providing a second line of defense against disease.
Researchers tested an automated microscope combined with AI software to diagnose malaria in blood samples. The system achieved 88% accuracy, comparable to expert microscopists, and has potential benefits including reducing workload and increasing patient load.
Research by the Peter Doherty Institute found that inflammation alters plasma composition, hindering parasite maturation. This work reveals a new mechanism slowing down malaria parasite development in the bloodstream.
The first locally acquired malaria cases in the US in 20 years have been reported, highlighting the need for clinicians to be vigilant about the disease's symptoms. Malaria thrives in warmer climates and can cause serious illness and death if not treated, emphasizing the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment.
The widespread use of insecticides for malaria control has unintended consequences, including the development of resistance in other disease-carrying arthropods. This can lead to the spread of overlooked and dangerous tropical diseases. Understanding the behavior and insecticide susceptibility status of these organisms is crucial to pr...
Researchers from Leicester and Nottingham universities have received £600,000 funding to study sexual development and gene shuffling in the malaria parasite. The study aims to uncover new targets for therapies to control disease transmission.
A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.
The digitization of Johanna Bonne-Wepster's field notes has filled significant gaps in mosquito research and tropical medicine. The collection contains valuable information on vector-borne diseases and their spread, which can inform current public health issues and future disease modeling.
A study published in Nature Communications found that infection rates in pregnant women attending antenatal care visits closely reflect the rates in children from cross-sectional studies, especially when molecular tests are used. This correlation can help estimate disease burden and inform control measures.
Scientists have developed a new genetic technology called Ifegenia that suppresses populations of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which primarily spread malaria in Africa. The system targets females, which are the primary disease carriers, and kills them, halting parasite transmission.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology identified ApSigma, a nuclear-encoded apicoplast RNA polymerase σ subunit that coordinates gene expression with the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum and host circadian rhythm. Melatonin is shown to increase apicoplast transcription and expression of the apSig gene.
Researchers have identified anti-malarial properties in cancer drugs, offering a potential solution to the growing crisis of drug-resistant malaria. The study found that certain protein kinase inhibitors exhibited strong anti-malarial effects, highlighting a new approach to accelerating drug discovery.
A new genomic analysis reveals a north-south divide in P. falciparum drug resistance markers and genetic structure in Mozambique. The findings suggest that artemisinin remains effective for treating malaria, while piperaquine can be used in combination therapies. However, the high frequency of quintuple mutants requires close monitorin...
Researchers at UNIGE have identified a new type of molecular sensor that enables the malaria parasite to infect human cells or mosquitoes at just the right moment. By understanding how this sensor works, scientists can potentially scramble its signals to disorientate the parasite and block its multiplication and transmission.
CNRS scientists have identified a molecule that prevents parasites of Plasmodium from invading blood cells, paving the way for a new class of antimalarials. The discovery is based on the key role of myosin A in malaria infection and its inhibition by KNX-002.
Researchers detected Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest form of malaria, in mummified tissues from Medici family members. The parasite was identified through microscopic and molecular analyses, revealing characteristic ring-shaped structures and Maurer's clefts.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and Duke University reveals that the malaria parasite's biological clock is 'in sync' with its human host's circadian clock. The researchers discovered a 'coupling' mechanism between the parasite and its host, which could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease.
Researchers found that malaria parasites synchronize their gene expression with the host's internal clock, repeating every 24 hours. The study reveals a potential new target for anti-malarial drugs by 'jet-lagging' the parasites' clocks.
A study of almost 65,000 children aged up to 5 found that nearly 27% are infected with malaria, with older under-five children and those from large families or rural areas being most vulnerable. Insecticide-treated bed nets and improved housing are promising means to prevent malaria infection among children.
An observational study of 329,000 Medicare admissions found that older persons receiving hospital care from allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) physicians experience similar quality and cost of care. Researchers also highlight systemic health inequities faced by persons with sickle cell disease.
Mosquitoes use human body odor to find hosts over long distances, with specific airborne components making some people more attractive than others. Researchers found that carboxylic acids and eucalyptol are key contributors to this attraction, with varying levels affecting mosquito choosiness.
Researchers identified compounds in Labrador tea leaves that have antimalarial properties, particularly ascaridole, which has activity against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The study highlights the importance of investigating and protecting plants used in traditional medicines.
A new study has identified a second key gene, AAT1, involved in malaria's resistance to the drug chloroquine. The finding, published in Nature Microbiology, has implications for the ongoing battle against malaria.
Researchers found that infected mosquito saliva contains molecules called sfRNAs that can blunt the body's immune response. These molecules are injected during the mosquito bite, making it more likely for people to become infected with dengue virus.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.
A recent study found that malaria control programs in Amazonian Peru reduced the disease by 78% but saw a rebound when funding was cut, driven by climate change. Climate change has exacerbated malaria transmission, with rising temperatures and intense rainfalls contributing to the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease.
A 16-year analysis of Brazilian research funding reveals stagnant funding for neglected tropical diseases, including chikungunya, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Systematic underfunding is observed even among these diseases, which are considered neglected tropical diseases.
Researchers at CZ Biohub SF and UCSF create high-resolution map of human immune response to P. falciparum, revealing why durable malaria vaccines have been hard to come by. The study uses sophisticated method to analyze antibodies' binding patterns to parasite proteins, offering insight into how malaria evades the immune system.
A community-based approach using health workers increased IPTp coverage by up to 473% in Nigeria, but did not reduce antenatal care attendance. The TIPTOP project shows that community health workers play a critical role in supporting the health of women and can save thousands of maternal and infant lives.
A study found that malaria parasites invest more in sexual reproduction and less in asexual replication during low-transmission environments. Low LPC levels in human blood plasma are associated with increased gametocyte production and transmission.
A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
A new Stanford-led study uses satellite and land use data to predict malaria outbreaks in Madagascar, providing insights into the disease's distribution and burden. The research identifies rural areas with flooded rice fields as high-risk zones for malaria transmission.
Researchers analyzed data on European travellers arriving from Africa between 2015 and 2019, finding malaria as the most common arthropod-borne disease. The study highlights the importance of using travellers' health data to complement local surveillance systems in Africa.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that Anopheles mosquito populations are gaining an average of 6.5 meters per year in elevation and moving south by 4.7 kilometers annually. Climate change is helping these species reach colder parts of the continent, potentially explaining recent changes in malaria transmission.
A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência reveals that when acute kidney injury and anemia occur simultaneously, they substantially increase a patient's risk of death. The research shows healthy kidneys can alter their genetic program to absorb and store iron, re-establishing the development of red blood cells.
Rice University researchers have developed an innovative system to study mosquito feeding behavior using fake skin made with a 3D printer, eliminating the need for live volunteers. The system was tested on various mosquito repellents and showed promising results, suggesting it could be scaled up for future studies.
A new biomaterial platform mimics human skin to analyze mosquito feeding behavior, using machine learning models and video monitoring. The results show an average precision of 92.5%, with potential applications for developing more effective repellents to combat diseases.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023
A new diagnostic test can detect people with dormant Plasmodium vivax parasites, which are difficult to treat due to their ability to remain dormant in the liver for years. The test has the potential to improve malaria control programs and accelerate eradication efforts.
Researchers have identified a new class of potent antimalarial compounds that target the parasite's sexual phase, preventing it from infecting mosquitoes and subsequently humans. The compounds inhibit the parasitic protein Pfs16, forming the strongest bond with the drug.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that monoclonal antibody CIS43LS provided high levels of protection against controlled human malaria infection. The study's findings suggest that this treatment could be a potential game changer for deploying monoclonal antibody therapies in African countries.
A new study found that using two insecticides on bed nets can prevent malaria by killing off resistant mosquito variants. The trial showed a significant reduction in malaria cases among people sleeping under dual-ingredient net treated with one pyrethroid and another active ingredient.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered that volatile repellents containing ammonia and amines can be used to combat insect-borne diseases by disrupting their sense of smell and taste. The research found that these compounds can silence olfactory neurons in mosquitoes, preventing them from detecting human skin odor.
A new study suggests that chronic dysentery is unlikely to have been the cause of Edward the Black Prince's death. Instead, experts point to alternative causes such as malaria, inflammatory bowel disease, and brucellosis, which could have contributed to his fluctuating illness.
A team from Tohoku University has developed an efficient synthesis of (-)-quinine, a key compound in malaria treatment, enabling further medication development. The new method uses organocatalyst-mediated reactions, reducing the number of steps and chemical waste.
A new, non-invasive malaria detection tool developed by a University of Queensland-led team can quickly identify entire villages or towns suffering from the disease. The device uses infrared-light and is chemical-free, needle-free, and detects malaria through the skin.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in producing infectious Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites without the need for mosquitoes, paving the way for more effective malaria vaccines. This achievement accelerates the ability to study the parasite's biology and develop new tools for vaccine development.
A new antimalarial drug, tafenoquine, is found to require a higher dose of 450mg to achieve cure rates of 85% compared to the current 300mg dose of 70%. The study suggests that the single-dose tafenoquine is not as effective as optimal primaquine treatment in preventing vivax malaria relapses in all endemic regions.
Researchers at George Washington University developed two mRNA vaccine candidates that are highly effective in reducing both malaria infection and transmission. The vaccines induce a powerful immune response regardless of whether they are given individually or in combination.
Research suggests that long-lasting insecticidal malaria nets lost their effectiveness after just one year in Burundi, contradicting the recommended replacement every 3 years. The study found that malaria incidence rose again after two years, highlighting the need for continued epidemiological monitoring and improved resource allocation.
Researchers develop a new method to track disease-carrying mosquitoes by ingesting harmless DNA particles, providing unique fingerprints of information. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance and tracking, offering insights into mosquito movement and hotspots.
A new meta-analysis commissioned by WHO informs updated treatment guidelines for uncomplicated malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study finds that artemether-lumefantrine is as safe and possibly more effective than non-artemisinin-based treatments, including quinine, with significant reductions in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A three-year study in Mozambique shows that parasite density and detectability in primigravid women decline as disease transmission decreases, despite stable antibody levels. This suggests non-immunological factors control infections in pregnant women.
Between 2000 and 2020, malaria infections fell globally, but a significant increase occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with 52.4 million pregnancies at risk from Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection. Control initiatives failed to mitigate this trend.
Researchers created an atlas of the malaria infection by Plasmodium parasites in the liver, revealing differences in infected cell localization and immune response. The study's findings hold promise for developing treatments targeting the asymptomatic liver stage of the disease.