How next-generation bed nets could stop malaria by killing the parasites inside mosquitoes, not just the mosquitoes themselves.

Transcript

Bed nets have long been a cornerstone of vector control. Coated with insecticide, they serve a dual purpose: preventing bites and killing mosquitoes. But what if those nets could do more – not only kill the mosquitoes, but for those they don’t kill because of increasing insecticide resistance, at least kill the parasites hidden inside them?

Researchers assembled a library of antiparasitic compounds active against the form of the parasite in the mosquito midgut. They identified 81 promising compounds, some of which were already in clinical development. Of those, 22 were found to be effective against these early stages of parasite development in the mosquito and, therefore, capable of preventing onward transmission.

One class of compound stood out: ELQs, or endochin-like quinolones. These could be absorbed through the mosquito’s legs in tests, therefore viable for use in a mosquito net. The researchers suggest that ELQs could offer a promising new strategy for malaria control, working alongside traditional methods to reduce malaria cases and deaths.

Source

In vivo screen of Plasmodium targets for mosquito-based malaria control (Nature)

About The Podcast

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute podcast is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.

The extent to which malaria vaccines reduce cases and deaths is a key consideration. But there’s another factor, too.

with Dr. Lemu Golassa, Head of Medical Parasitology at Addis Ababa University.

About The Podcast

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.

A recent study in Ethiopia reveals that local malaria parasite strains differ genetically from those targeted by current vaccines, potentially reducing their effectiveness.

Transcript

The recent introduction of two malaria vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa represents a major success in global health, and the culmination of decades of research and development. The two jabs – RTS,S and R21 – target a protein on the surface of the malaria parasite as it enters the skin, called the circumsporozoite protein, or CSP. The vaccines are based on a specific form of CSP. The challenge is that there are many forms of CSP – called haplotypes – across regions. Vaccine efficacy, therefore, may in part depend on how closely local CSP haplotypes match those used to develop the vaccine. If they’re a close match, the vaccine should work well, but if there’s a mismatch, the vaccine may be less effective.

A recent study in Ethiopia collected blood samples from malaria-infected children over the age of five from three health centres in different parts of the country. Of the 120 blood samples collected, CSP was successfully sequenced in 85. Whilst there was little variation in samples from the same region, there was significant variation between regions, highlighting the genetic polymorphism of CSP. Importantly, none of the Ethiopian CSP haplotypes matched the vaccine haplotype, indicating the jabs may not achieve optimal efficacy in the country.

Source

Unveiling mismatch of RTS S AS01 and R21 Matrix M malaria vaccines haplotype among Ethiopian Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates (Scientific Reports)

About The Podcast

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute podcast is produced by the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to highlight impactful malaria research and to share it with the global community.