31.03.2008
MTN DONATES 200 MILLION UGANDAN SHILLINGS TO MALARIA CONSORTIUM [Malaria Consortium Press Release] — (English)
The MTN Foundation, MTN's CSR arm has partnered with the Malaria Consortium in the fight against Malaria. Malaria Consortium is a non-profit organization that works to combat malaria and other communicable diseases among the poorest and most vulnerable people in Africa and Asia...
29.03.2008
En guerre contre le palu [France Info - France ] — (Français)
Sur le fleuve Zambèze, une expédition s’élance aujourd’hui à l’assaut… du paludisme. Cette maladie tue chaque année au moins un million de personnes, pour l’essentiel en Afrique, et pourtant les remèdes sont connus...
Nigeria: Bauchi Plans Distribution of Free Mosquito Nets [Daily Champion (Lagos) via allAfrica.com] — (English)
BAUCHI State Government has announced plans to distribute freely, treated mosquito nets to families in the state as part of efforts to ensure reduction and eradication of malaria among women and children in line with the declaration of UNICE...
28.03.2008
World Malaria Day - Roll Back Malaria Partnership launches dedicated website [MMV - Switzerland] — (English)
World Malaria Day (25 April) is fast approaching and preparations for this exceptional advocacy opportunity are well underway around the world. To help galvanize action and showcase the meaningful work of the RMB Partners, the RBM Secretariat has launched today a dedicated website (http://www.rbm.who.int/worldmalariaday/index.html) for the first World Malaria Day (WMD) that the Partnership will commemorate together...
Malaria fears allayed [EUROPA - Brussels,Belgium] — (English)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 40 percent of the global population, mostly those living in the world’s poorest countries, are at risk of malaria. Every year, more than 500 million people become severely ill with malaria. Africa is most at risk where one in every five childhood deaths is a direct result of the disease. As borders come down, and international trade and migration increases, there are growing concerns regarding a severe outbreak of malaria in industrialised countries. New modelling, however, shows that such fears are currently unwarranted...
Toward A New Generation Of Vaccines For Malaria And Other Diseases [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
Researchers in Colombia, South America, describe a new strategy for designing the next generation of synthetic vaccines that could lead to more effective treatments for fighting malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and other infectious diseases. These conditions kill more than 17 million people around the world each year...
Mosquito and cucumber salad anyone? [Firstscience - UK] — (English)
Could a genetic hybrid of a mosquito and a sea cucumber spell the end of malaria - one of the World's most deadly diseases? Do you live in a developed country and feel unconcerned about malaria?...
US Presidential Candidate McCain Pledges To Eradicate Malaria in Africa [MedIndia - Chennai,India] — (English)
McCain said that if elected president, he would "establish the goal of eradicating malaria on the continent -- the No. 1 killer of African children under the age of five."...
Sénégal: Commune d'arrondissement de Mermoz Sacre-Coeur - 1.000 moustiquaires imprégnées offertes aux populations [Le Soleil (Dakar) via allAfrica.com] — (Français)
La commune d'arrondissement de Mermoz Sacré-Coeur a offert hier aux populations, qui habitent dans le périmètre municipal, 1.000 moustiquaires imprégnées. La cérémonie de remise du don a eu lieu hier en présence du maire, Gnagna Touré et du représentant de l'Ong Enda Ecopol, partenaire de l'opération. Des imams, notables, représentantes des organisations féminines y ont assisté...
Cameroun: Centre - Recrudescence du paludisme à Ngomedzap [Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé) via allAfrica.com] — (Français)
Dans le tableau épidémiologique de Ngomedzap, le paludisme tient le haut du pavé...
27.03.2008
Suppositories kill deadliest malaria parasites fast [Reuters - USA] — (English)
Suppositories derived from sweet wormwood kill the deadliest malaria parasites quickly and offer a stop-gap treatment for people in remote areas until they can reach a hospital, researchers said on Friday...
26.03.2008
Plasmodium falciparum Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Pregnancy Malaria Associated Gene Expression [PLOS] — (English)
These findings suggest that other parasite proteins, such as PFI1785w, may contribute beside VAR2CSA to the pathogenesis of PAM. These data may be very valuable for future vaccine development...
Malaria Liver Stage Susceptibility Locus Identified on Mouse Chromosome 17 by Congenic Mapping [PLOS] — (English)
Host genetic variants are known to confer resistance to Plasmodium blood stage infection and to control malaria severity both in humans and mice. This work describes the genetic mapping of a locus for resistance to liver stage parasite in the mouse. First, we show that decreased susceptibility to the liver stage of Plasmodium berghei in the BALB/c mouse strain is attributable to intra-hepatic factors and impacts on the initial phase of blood stage infection. We used QTL mapping techniques to identify a locus controlling this susceptibility phenotype (LOD score 4.2) on mouse chromosome 17 (belr1 locus). Furthermore, analysis of congenic mouse strains delimited the belr1 locus boundaries distally to the H2 region. Quantification of parasites in the liver of infected congenic mice strongly suggested that the belr1 locus represents a genetic factor controlling the expansion of P. berghei in the hepatic tissue. The mapping of belr1 locus raises the hypothesis that host gene variation is able to control the progression of Plasmodium liver stage infection and opens the possibility that the human genomic region orthologue to belr1 may contain genes that confer resistance to the human malaria liver stage...
Genome-wide detection of serpentine receptor-like proteins in malaria parasites [PLOS] — (English)
Expression of the pfsrs genes was detected by Real Time PCR in P. falciparum intraerythrocytic stages, indicating that they potentially code for functional proteins. We also found corresponding homologues for the PfSRs in five other Plasmodium species, two primate and three rodent parasites. PfSR10 and 25 are the most conserved receptors among the different species, while PfSR1 and 12 are more divergent. Interestingly, we found that PfSR10 and PfSR12 possess similarity to orphan serpentine receptors of other organisms. The identification of potential parasite membrane receptors raises a new perspective for essential aspects of malaria parasite host cell infection...
Impfung soll Erreger sterilisieren [Spiegel - Germany] — (Deutsch)
Die Ausbreitung der Malaria könnte mit einer Impfung gestoppt werden, glauben Forscher. In einem Versuch mit Mäusen haben sie die Vermehrung des Erregers erfolgreich verhindert. Kann eine solche Sterilisierung die gefährliche Seuche eindämmen?...
Characterization of VAR2CSA-deficient Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes selected for adhesion to the BeWo placental cell line [Malaria Journal 2008, 7:51 (26 March 2008)] — (English)
The authors used their recently generated var2csa knock-out parasites to identify adhesive interactions in the placenta other than binding to CSA. The selection of a population that did not cytoadhere to the syncytiotrophoblast lining and was only partially recognized in a gender and parity-dependent manner by sera of malaria-exposed adults confirms the key function of VAR2CSA in pregnancy-associated malaria...
Uganda: When Eating Mangoes Becomes the Cause of Malaria [New Vision (Kampala) via AllAfrica.com] — (English)
A team of medical students from Makerere University believe they have the answer: the professionals who are leading the fight against malaria aren't listening to the voices of the people who are affected by the disease. As a result, programmes to educate people about malaria prevention don't take account of what people know and they therefore fail to teach people what they need to know...
Liverpool to lead 5-year malaria programme [England's Northwest - UK] — (English)
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is to lead a $30 million (£15 million) research programme into malaria in Africa, Asia and Latin America...
SurfAid International Reaches Milestone in Malaria Free Mentawai Program [Global Surf News - USA] — (English)
Humanitarian organization SurfAid International has completed stage two of its Malaria Free Mentawai (MFM) program, delivering mosquito nets and malaria education to 53,000 people on three of the four Mentawai Islands, off Indonesia's West Sumatran coast...
Nuggets, Rapids To Help Anti-Malaria Campaign [cbs4denver.com - Denver,CO,USA] — (English)
The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids have joined the "Nothing But Nets" campaign to help buy $10 malaria nets to save the lives of African children...
Global warming: Just deal with it, some scientists say [Los Angeles Times - CA,USA] — (English)
Higher temperatures could allow malaria-carrying mosquitoes to move into Africa's highland regions, where people have little natural immunity from the parasite. Still, the extra burden would be a fraction of the millions of cases that afflict the continent each year...
DOH execs in 'hot water' over region's anti-Malaria drug deal [News Today Online - Iloilo City,Iloilo,Philippines] — (English)
At least 15 senior officials of the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas had been called in to serve as government resource persons in a fact-finding probe of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas...
25.03.2008
The 'diagonal' approach to Global Fund financing: a cure for the broader malaise of health systems? [Global Health. 2008 Mar 25;4(1):6] — (English)
The authors believe that a transformation of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria into a Global Health Fund is feasible, but only if accompanied by a substantial increase of donor commitments to the Global Fund. The transformation of the Global Fund into a 'diagonal' and ultimately perhaps 'horizontal' financing approach should happen gradually and carefully, and be accompanied by measures to safeguard its exceptional features...
Process and effects of a community intervention on malaria in rural Burkina Faso: randomized controlled trial [Malaria Journal 2008, 7:50 (25 March 2008)] — (English)
The paper describes a delivery system based on sale of drugs (drug revolving model), with revenues used to motivate distributors. This is a contribution to the current debate about how access to antimalarials can be increased, even if performed at a time when chloroquine was still the first-line drug...
How sperm and egg fuse into one [NatureNews] — (English)
Billker, a malaria expert now at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, UK, studied the behaviour of HAP2 in the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei ...
Discovery About Fertilization Points Way to Possible Malaria Vaccine [ Newswise
- USA] — (English)
International investigations of an organism that one UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher calls a “silly little green scum” have led to key insights into the basic mechanisms of reproduction...
Decoding Malaria's 'Post Code' System Provides A Potential Drug Target [Science Daily - USA] — (English)
Research from the University of Melbourne has revealed the code used by the malaria parasite to move essential proteins around inside its structure...
Nigeria: Chemical Substance Blocks Mosquitoes' Ability to 'Smell' Humans [Vanguard (Lagos) via allAfrica.com] — (English)
DEET, a substance widely used in mosquito repellants, blocks the ability of mosquitoes and other insects to smell humans - a finding that could help curb the spread of malaria by contributing to the development of more effective repellants - according to a study published in the journal Science...
Sénégal: Plusieurs activités au menu des journées de lutte contre le Sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme [Agence de Presse Sénégalaise (Dakar) via allAfrica.com] — (Français)
L'Alliance nationale contre le Sida (ANCS) organise mercredi et jeudi à Dakar les journées de "convergence" de son programme de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme...
24.03.2008
Welsh uni scientists help to discover possible treatment for deadly malaria [ic Wales - United Kingdom] — (English)
WELSH scientists are close to developing a new vaccine and treatment for one of the world’s most deadly diseases...
Aureos launches health risk programme [Financial Times - London,England,UK] — (English)
Aureos Capital, an emerging markets private equity firm, has launched a programme to manage health risks in its east African investee companies. The programme, which will cover HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis, has $1m (£504,000, €648,000) funding from the Norwegian government, an Aureos shareholder...
23.03.2008
Zambezi expedition: Fighting Malaria on the river of life [Travel Video - Canada] — (English)
The Zambezi, lifeline of southern Africa, will be the setting of a dramatic health project. On 29th March 2008, the Roll Back Malaria Zambezi Expedition launches into a two months voyage to showcase successes and highlight challenges associated with the fight against one of the globe's leading infectious killers. Despite both preventable and curable, between one and three million people die of malaria each year - every 30 seconds a child in Africa....
Why a Genetic Blood Disorder Seems to Protect Against Malaria [New York Times - United States] — (English)
Researchers believe they have figured out why a genetic blood disorder found in the tropics protects against death from malaria...
22.03.2008
Increased Microerythrocyte Count in Homozygous α+-Thalassaemia Contributes to Protection against Severe Malarial Anaemia [PLOS] — (English)
The increased erythrocyte count and microcytosis in children homozygous for α+-thalassaemia may contribute substantially to their protection against SMA. A lower concentration of Hb per erythrocyte and a larger population of erythrocytes may be a biologically advantageous strategy against the significant reduction in erythrocyte count that occurs during acute infection with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This haematological profile may reduce the risk of anaemia by other Plasmodium species, as well as other causes of anaemia. Other host polymorphisms that induce an increased erythrocyte count and microcytosis may confer a similar advantage...
Plasmodium-Induced Inflammation by Uric Acid [PLOS Pathogenes] — (English)
We observed that hypoxanthine is accumulated in high concentrations in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. Upon rupture of these erythrocytes, hypoxanthine is degraded into uric acid by a host enzyme. Uric acid is a well-known modulator of immune responses, as it is the causative agent of gout and has been identified as a danger signal for the immune system. As the malaria-induced inflammatory response contributes to most of the pathology associated with malaria infections, including death, its understanding is essential for the development of effective treatments...
Origins of human malaria: rare genomic changes and full mitochondrial genomes confirm the relationship of Plasmodium falciparum to other mammalian parasites, but complicate the origins of P. vivax [Mol Biol Evol. 2008 Mar 21] — (English)
Despite substantial work, the phylogeny of malaria parasites remains debated. The matter is complicated by concerns about patterns of evolution in potentially strongly selected genes as well as the extreme AT-bias of some Plasmodium genomes. Particularly contentious has been the position of the most virulent human parasite P. falciparum, whether grouped with avian parasites or within a larger clade of mammalian parasites. Here, we study three classes of rare genomic changes, as well as the sequences of mitochondrial rRNA genes. We report three lines of support for a clade of mammalian parasites: (i) we find no instances of spliceosomal intron loss in a hypothetical ancestor of P. falciparum and the avian parasite P. gallinaceum, suggesting against a close relationship between those species; (ii) we find four genomic mitochondrial indels supporting a mammalian clade, but none grouping P. falciparum with avian parasites; and (iii) slowly evolving mitochondrial rRNA sequences support a mammalian parasite clade with 100% posterior probability. We further report a large deletion in the mitochondrial LSU rRNA gene, which suggests a subclade including both African and Asian parasites within the clade of closely related primate malarias. This contrasts with previous studies that provided strong support for separate Asian and African clades, and reduces certainty about the historical and geographic origins of P. vivax. Finally, we find a lack of synapomorphic gene losses, suggesting a low rate of ancestral gene loss in Plasmodium...
Intrinsic disorder in pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes: discovering and analyzing the unfoldomes of early-branching eukaryotes [Mol Biosyst. 2008 Apr;4(4):328-40. Epub 2008 Feb 21] — (English)
Parasitic protozoal infections have long been known to cause profound degrees of sickness and death in humans as well as animal populations. Despite the increase in the number of annotated genomes available for a large variety of protozoa, a great deal more has yet to be learned about them, from their fundamental physiology to mechanisms invoked during host-pathogen interactions. Most of these genomes share a common feature, namely a high prevalence of low complexity regions in their predicted proteins, which is believed to contribute to the uniqueness of the individual species within this diverse group of early-branching eukaryotes. In the case of Plasmodium species, which cause malaria, such regions have also been reported to hamper the identification of homologues, thus making functional genomics exceptionally challenging...
Malaria eradication in India: a failure? [Science. 2008 Mar 21;319(5870):1616] — (English)
Information from India's 5-year economic plans shows that even if complete eradication cannot be secured, economic gains and reduced suffering may be worth the effort...
Süße Waffe gegen Malaria [FAZ - Germany] — (Deutsch)
Jetzt ist es Forschern an der ETH Zürich gelungen, einen Bluttest zu entwickeln, mit dem sich Antikörper gegen Malaria-Erreger nachweisen lassen. Diese Arbeiten könnten ein wichtiger Schritt auf dem Weg zu einer wirksamen Malaria-Impfung sein...
Real-time PCR/MCA assay using fluorescence resonance energy transfer for the genotyping of resistance related DHPS-540 mutations in Plasmodium falciparum [Malaria Journal 2008, 7:48 (17 March 2008)] — (English)
This paper describes a new real-time PCR assay, based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Melting Curve Analysis (FRET-MCA), which compares well with the gold standard, RFLP ...
Long-term field performance of a polyester-based long-lasting insecticidal mosquito net in rural Uganda [Malaria Journal 2008, 7:49 (20 March 2008)] — (English)
This study confirms that PermaNet 2.0 warrants full recommendation by the standards set by WHOPES, since the majority of nets exceeded the three-year threshold and, as it is the first of its kind to use the WHOPES methodology, it will set the scientific standards for future evaluations.It also demonstrates that, for ‘coating’ LLIN, it is not the washing that is the main factor responsible for removing insecticide from the netting, but routine handling...
Volunteers lining up to be bit by mosquitoes carrying malaria [Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA] — (English)
In little more than five years, Seattle has become an international center for malaria vaccine research and, apparently, will have no trouble finding volunteers willing to get bit by malaria-infected mosquitoes bred in a lab on Westlake Avenue...
Public communications award recognizes Malaria series [Checkbiotech.org (press release) - Basel,Switzerland] — (English)
Science magazine deputy news editor Leslie Roberts and contributing correspondent Martin Enserink have won the 2008 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Public Communications Award for their three-part series “Combating Malaria”...
Malaria drug makers to study alleged side effects in Malawi [Malawi's Daily Times - Malawi] — (English)
Officials from Coartem, manufacturers of the new drug malaria for Malawi are verifying reports, which indicate that some malaria patients in Malawi have complained of headache and itching while others say some of their body parts swell after taking the drug...
Thailand sends rapid malaria test kit to WHO for quality certification [Thai News Agency MCOT - Bangkok,Thailand] — (English)
The Department of Medical Sciences' rapid malaria test kit is in the process of receiving quality certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) before being offered for selling worldwide, according to a senior official of the Public Health Ministry...
Blood Disease Protects Against Malaria In An Unexpected Way, Study Shows [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
Children with an inherited blood disorder called alpha thalassemia make unusually small red blood cells that mostly cause a mild form of anemia. Now, researchers have discovered that this disorder has a benefit--it can protect children against one of the world's greatest killers, malaria, according to a new study...
Malaria No More to Continue Idol's Fight against Malaria [Earthtimes - London,UK] — (English)
American Idol and FOX announced that this year's Idol Gives Back, airing Wednesday, April 9 (7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, will raise awareness and funds to fight malaria in Africa for the second year in a row as part of its star-studded event...
Articles requiring subscription
A new global malaria eradication strategy [The Lancet, Available online 27 March 2008] — (English)
By Richard Sir Feachem , Oliver Mr Sabot...
Evolution of malaria parasite plastid targeting sequences [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 25;105(12):4781-5. Epub 2008 Mar 19] — (English)
The transfer of genes from an endosymbiont to its host typically requires acquisition of targeting signals by the gene product to ensure its return to the endosymbiont for function. Many hundreds of plastid-derived genes must have acquired transit peptides for successful relocation to the nucleus. Here, we explore potential evolutionary origins of plastid transit peptides in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We show that exons of the P. falciparum genome could serve as transit peptides after exon shuffling. We further demonstrate that numerous randomized peptides and even whimsical sequences based on English words can also function as transit peptides in vivo. Thus, facile acquisition of transit peptides from existing sequence likely expedited endosymbiont integration through intracellular gene transfer...
Addition of CpG ODN to recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoProtein A conjugates of AMA1 and Pfs25 greatly increases the number of responders [Vaccine, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, Available online 27 March 2008] — (English)
Both the blood-stage protein apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and the 25-kDa sexual-stage protein (Pfs25) of Plasmodium falciparum are two leading candidates in malarial vaccine development...
Expression of three serine protease genes from the South East Asian malaria vector, Anopheles dirus, in relation to blood feeding and parasite infection [Developmental & Comparative Immunology, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, Available online 25 March 2008] — (English)
Three serine protease cDNA clones were isolated from Anopheles dirus, a major vector of malaria in Southeast Asia. Transcript abundance was examined following infection by Plasmodium falciparum by RT-PCR analysis. SerF3 exhibited increased transcript abundance in the whole body at 10 days post-infection with P. falciparum. All three genes are candidates for further investigation to determine their roles in mosquito immune responses...
Taking social relationships seriously: Lessons learned from the informed consent practices of a vaccine trial on the Kenyan Coast [Social Science & Medicine, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 24 March 2008] — (English)
In this paper, we report on a qualitative study exploring community understanding and perceptions of a malaria vaccine trial (MVT) conducted in a rural setting on the Kenyan Coast...
Effect of a community-based delivery of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy on treatment seeking for malaria at health units in Uganda [Public Health, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 20 March 2008] — (English)
The community approach was effective for the delivery of IPTp, although women still accessed and benefited from malaria treatment and other services at health units. However, the costs for accessing malaria treatment and other services are high and could be a limiting factor in mitigating the burden of malaria in Uganda...
Optimization of a semi-nested multiplex PCR to identify Plasmodium parasites in wild-caught Anopheles in Bolivia, and its application to field epidemiological studies [Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 20 March 2008] — (English)
Without an adequate DNA extraction protocol, the identification of Plasmodium species in whole mosquitoes by PCR is difficult because of the presence of reaction inhibitors from the insects. In this study, eight DNA extraction protocols were tested, from which a chelex-based protocol was selected...
Expression of a mutated phospholipase A2 in transgenic Aedes fluviatilis mosquitoes impacts Plasmodium gallinaceum development [Insect Molecular Biology, Volume 17 Issue 2 Page 175-183, April 2008] — (English)
The genetic manipulation of mosquito vectors is an alternative strategy in the fight against malaria. It was previously shown that bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibits ookinete invasion of the mosquito midgut although mosquito fitness was reduced...
The malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae expresses a suite of larval-specific defensin genes [Insect Molecular Biology, Volume 17 Issue 2 Page 103-112, April 2008 ] — (English)
cDNAs of Anopheles gambiae Defensin 2 (AgDef2), Defensin 3 (AgDef3) and Defensin 4 (AgDef4), identified in the genome sequence, have been characterized and their expression profiles investigated...
Malaria vaccines: the case for a whole-organism approach [Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, April 2008, Vol. 8, No. 4, Pages 441-448 ] — (English)
The early cloning of malaria antigens has fuelled rapid development of subunit vaccines. However, the disappointing results of clinical trials have resulted in reappraisal of current strategies. Whole-parasite approaches have re-emerged as an alternative strategy. Immunization using radiation or genetically attenuated sporozoites has been shown to result in sterile immunity and immunization with blood-stage parasites curtailed by antimalarials has demonstrated delayed parasitemia in rodent models as well as in human malaria...
Simplified antimalarial therapeutic monitoring: using the day-7 drug level? [Trends in Parasitology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 19 March 2008] — (English)
The interpretation of antimalarial drug trials evaluating efficacy and effectiveness would be improved considerably if the exposure of the infecting parasite population to the antimalarial drug treatment could be measured. Artemisinin combination treatments are now recommended as first-line drugs for the treatment of falciparum malaria...
Plasmodium falciparum dolichol phosphate mannose synthase represents a novel clade [Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, Available online 18 March 2008] — (English)
Dolichol phosphate mannose synthase (DPM) catalyzes the reaction between dolichol phosphate (Dol-P) and guanosine diphosphate mannose (GDP-Man) to form dolichol-phosphate-mannose (Dol-P-Man)...
Identifying practical adaptation options: an approach to address climate change-related health risks [Environmental Science & Policy, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 17 March 2008] — (English)
An approach is outlined that identifies all theoretically possible adaptation options to reduce adverse climate change-related health outcomes through a search of current practice and experience and through expert solicitation. This theoretical range of choices can then be screened to generate a list of measures that are practical for implementation in a particular population and region. This approach is applied to a theoretical country facing a projected increase in malaria due to climate change...
Single-day, three-dose treatment with fixed dose combination artesunate/sulfamethoxypyrazine/pyrimethamine to cure Plasmodium falciparum malaria [International Journal of Infectious Diseases, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 17 March 2008] — (English)
This study tested the hypothesis that the co-formulated fixed dose combination (FDC) artesunate/sulfamethoxypyrazine/pyrimethamine (As/SMP) administered as a 24-hour therapy with a dose interval of 12 hours is as efficacious and safe as the administration of the same drug over 3 days given with a dose interval of 24 hours, for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Ivory Coast...
The conserved plant sterility gene HAP2 functions after attachment of fusogenic membranes in Chlamydomonas and Plasmodium gametes [Genes Dev. 2008 Mar 26] — (English)
The cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie species-specific membrane fusion between male and female gametes remain largely unknown. Here, by use of gene discovery methods in the green alga Chlamydomonas, gene disruption in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, and distinctive features of fertilization in both organisms, we report discovery of a mechanism that accounts for a conserved protein required for gamete fusion...
Characterization of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 in Blood, Plasma and Serum [Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2008 Mar 26] — (English)
In this study, we evaluated the use of a commercial PfHRP2 ELISA kit with some procedural modifications. We determined the linear range of the assay, including the lower limits of detection and quantitation, using recombinant PfHRP2 (rPfHRP2). In ten repeat experiments, the linear range was from an optical density 450-650 nm (OD) of 0.05±0.002 to 2.28±0.042, corresponding to 3.91-250 ng/mL of rPfHRP2...
Microsatellite data suggest significant population structure and differentiation within the malaria vector Anopheles darlingi in Central and South America [BMC Ecol. 2008 Mar 26;8(1):3] — (English)
We detected a large amount of population structure in Amazonia, with three population clusters within Brazil and one including the Peru populations. The considerable differences in Ne among the populations may have contributed to the observed genetic differentiation. All of the data suggest that the primary division within A. darlingi corresponds to two white gene genotypes between Amazonia (genotype 1) and Central America, parts of Colombia and Venezuela (genotype 2), and are in agreement with mitochondrial COI gene sequences interpreted as incipient species. Overall, it appears that two main factors have contributed to the genetic differentiation between the population clusters: physical distance between the populations and the differences in effective population sizes among the subpopulations...
Is a monkey malaria from Borneo an emerging human disease? [Future Microbiology, April 2008, Vol. 3, No. 2, Pages 115-118] — (English)
Now we wait, as we do with the avian flu, to see if P. knowlesi represents a pathogen which has taken the ‘jump’ to a new host. The distinction between a disease that is occasionally transmitted to humans who venture into an area of natural transmission (zoonosis) and an actual human disease, is one with serious biological implications. If P. knowlesi is in fact a ‘fifth human malaria’, the parasite would not only have to be transmissible from one human to another but also be transmitted to the extent that a stable transmission cycle could be maintained in the absence of macaques. This is the case with the four known human malarias. The distinction has enormous ramifications for our understanding of how the disease could expand. Singh and Cox-Singh caution that, as yet, they have no proof of human-to-human transmission. At this point, the study of P. knowlesi is extremely significant regardless of whether it has entered humans permanently or represents a zoonosis. In either case, we face a heath problem of potentially widespread significance and one that will present new problems for malaria control...
Alveolins, a New Family of Cortical Proteins that Define the Protist Infrakingdom Alveolata [Mol Biol Evol. 2008 Mar 21] — (English)
Alveolates are a recently recognised group of unicellular eukaryotes that unites disparate protists including apicomplexan parasites (which cause malaria and toxoplasmosis), dinoflagellate algae (which cause red tides and are symbionts in many corals) and the ciliates (which are microscopic predators and common rumen symbionts). Gene sequence trees provide robust support for the alveolate alliance but beyond the common presence of membranous sacs (alveoli) subtending the plasma membrane the group has no unifying morphological feature. We describe a family of proteins, alveolins, associated with these membranous sacs in apicomplexa, dinoflagellates and ciliates. Alveolins contain numerous simple peptide repeats and are encoded by multi gene families. We generated antibodies against a peptide motif common to all alveolins and identified a range of apparently abundant proteins in apicomplexans, dinoflagellates and ciliates. Immunolocalization reveals that alveolins are associated exclusively with the cortical regions of apicomplexa, dinoflagellates and ciliates where the alveolar sacs occur. Alveolins are the first molecular nexus between the unifying structures that defines this eukaryotic group. They provide an excellent opportunity to explore the exceptional compartment that was apparently the key to a remarkable diversification of unique protists that occupy a wide array of lifestyle niches...
Binding affinity of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes from infected placentas and laboratory selected strains to chondroitin 4-sulfate [Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2008 Feb 14] — (English)
The adherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) in human placenta is mediated by chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S). The C4S-adherent parasites selected from laboratory strains have been widely used for determining the C4S structural elements involved in IRBC binding and for the identification of parasite adhesive protein(s)...
Artesunate–erythropoietin combination for murine cerebral malaria treatment [Acta Trop. 2008 Feb 15] — (English)
Since erythropoietin has no effect on parasite clearance, it could be stated that this drug combination is efficient and that erythropoietin could be a lead for the implementation of a new adjunctive therapy during the acute phase of cerebral malaria...
Chloroquine-induced nitric oxide increase and cell death is dependent on cellular GSH depletion in A172 human glioblastoma cells [Toxicol Lett. 2008 Feb 15] — (English)
Chloroquine (CQ) is used to treat malaria and a variety of inflammatory diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. However, CQ is known to cause cytotoxicity of which mechanism is still uncertain. This study investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for the cell death in CQ-treated A172 human glioblastoma cells. CQ-induced apoptotic cell death of the cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. CQ also increased the production of nitric oxide in the cells...
Truncation of Plasmodium berghei merozoite surface protein 8 does not affect in vivo blood-stage development [Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2008 Feb 14] — (English)
Merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) has shown promise as a vaccine candidate in the Plasmodium yoelii rodent malaria model and has a proposed role in merozoite invasion of erythrocytes. However, the temporal expression and localisation of MSP8 are unusual for a merozoite antigen...
An Antimalarial Neem Leaf Extract has Both Schizonticidal and Gametocytocidal Activities [Am J Ther. 2008 March/April;15(2):108-110] — (English)
A crude acetone/water (50/50) extract of neem leaves (IRAB) was evaluated for activity against the asexual (trophozoites/schizonts) and the sexual (gametocytes) forms of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in vitro. In separate 72 hour cultures of both asexual parasites and mature gametocytes treated with IRAB (0.5 [mu]g/mL), parasite numbers were less than 50% of the numbers in control cultures, which had 8.0% and 8.5% parasitemia, respectively. In cultures containing 2.5 [mu]g/mL, asexual parasites and mature and immature gametocytes were reduced to 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0% parasitemia, respectively. There were no parasites in the cultures containing 5.0 [mu]g/mL. This extract, if found safe, may provide materials for development of new antimalarial drugs that may be useful both in treatment of malaria as well as the control of its transmission through gametocytes...
Specific stimulation of HIV-1 replication in human placental trophoblasts by an antigen of Plasmodium falciparum [AIDS. 2008 Mar 30;22(6):785-7] — (English)
Epidemiological data point to an increased risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in pregnant women with malaria, by unknown mechanisms. We show here that surface binding of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum adhesin to chondroitin sulphate A proteoglycans increases HIV-1 replication in the human placental cell line BeWo, probably by a P. falciparum adhesin-induced long-terminal repeat-driven TNF-[alpha] stimulation. This suggests that placental malaria could increase the risk of HIV-1 transmission in utero...
Patterns of co-association of C-reactive protein and nitric oxide in malaria in endemic areas of Iran [Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz vol.103 no.1 Rio de Janeiro Feb. 2008] — (English)
The objective of this study was to detect CRP and NO inductions by agglutination latex test and Griess microassay respectively in both control and malaria groups from endemic areas of Iran, including Southeastern (SE) (Sistan & Balouchestan, Hormozgan, Kerman) and Northwestern (NW) provinces (Ardabil). The results indicated that CRP and NO are produced in all malaria endemic areas of Iran...
Chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Osogbo Nigeria: efficacy of amodiaquine + sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine + chlorpheniramine for treatment [Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. vol.41 no.1 Uberaba Jan./Feb. 2008] — (English)
The 38% treatment failure for CQ reported in this study is higher than the 10% recommended by World Health Organization in other to effect change in antimalarial treatment policy. Hence we conclude that CQ can no more be solely relied upon for the treatment of falciparum malaria in Osogbo, Nigeria. AQ+SP and CH+CQ are effective in the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria and may be considered as useful alternative drugs in the absence of artemisinin-based combination therapies...
In vitro dissolution profile of primaquine tablets available for malaria treatment in Brazil [Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. vol.41 no.1 Uberaba Jan./Feb. 2008] — (Portuguesa)
A ineficácia clínica de muitos medicamentos tem servido de alerta para estudos mais profundos sobre os componentes da formulação, processos empregados e características físico-químicas dos fármacos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a liberação in vitro de comprimidos de fosfato de primaquina disponíveis no Brasil para tratamento da malária, e o desenvolvimento de novas formulações de liberação convencional. Embora os comprimidos de fosfato de primaquina estudados tenham sido aprovados pelos critérios propostos pela Farmacopéia Americana (2006) para o teste de dissolução, não apresentaram desempenho adequado para o perfil de dissolução, mostrando retenção do fármaco durante a liberação. Os resultados indicam a existência de problemas nos comprimidos de fosfato de primaquina analisados, podendo sugerir como um dos fatores responsáveis pelo aparecimento de resistência dos parasitas...
Análise espacial e determinação de áreas para o controle da malária no Estado de Rondônia [Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. vol.41 no.1 Uberaba Jan./Feb. 2008] — (Portuguesa)
Este trabalho discute o uso de análise espacial para confecção de mapas de risco para malária no Estado de Rondônia, entre 1994 e 2005. Para análise do padrão espacial, foram utilizados os índices de Moran global e local. Com base nos valores do Índice Parasitário Anual, pode-se afirmar que os municípios que constituem a área de maior risco são os de urbanização mais recente, caracterizados por: maior crescimento populacional, maior número de famílias assentadas e elevado percentual de área desmatada. O Moran Map mostrou que os agregados de municípios com maior risco para malária sofreram processo de espalhamento para a região noroeste e nordeste do estado. Já nos municípios considerados como de menor risco, o processo se deu em direção ao sudeste. As técnicas utilizadas em nosso estudo merecem ser comparadas com a atual metodologia utilizada pela Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária na determinação de áreas de risco e repasse financeiro para controle da malária...
Reverse Genetics Analysis of Antiparasitic Responses in the Malaria Vector, Anopheles gambiae [Methods Mol Biol. 2008;415:365-77] — (English)
Anopheles mosquitoes are the major vectors of human malaria parasites. Mosquito-parasite interactions are critical for disease transmission and therefore represent a potential target for malaria control strategies. Mosquitoes mount potent antiparasitic responses, and identification of mosquito factors that limit parasite development is one of the major objectives in the field. To address this question, we have developed a convenient reverse genetics approach by injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in adult mosquitoes, to evaluate the function of candidate genes in mosquito antiparasitic responses...
Anti-protozoan activities of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark extract on trichomonads and malaria [J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Mar 10] — (English)
Harungana madagascariensis stem bark extract therefore exhibited significant anti-protozoan effects against Trichomonas and Plasmodium both in vivo and in vitro...
Prepared in cooperation with WHO ANGOLA INFO.
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