Scientists Have Developed a Revolutionary Instrument to Combat Drug-Resistant Malaria

Malaria is a fever sickness caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to humans by mosquito bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitos.

As the efficiency of conventional antimalarial medications deteriorates, a novel approach to combating malaria that sees the illness turn against itself might provide a viable therapy for the hundreds of millions of people affected globally each year.

The study discovered ML901, an anti-malarial chemical that suppresses the malaria parasite without harming the cells of humans or other mammals.

Self-destructing parasite due to the new instrument

(Photo : JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Professor Leann Tilley of the University of Melbourne's Bio21 Institute said the ML901 molecule essentially made the parasite the agent of its own destruction, which explains its potency and selectivity, as per ScienceDaily.

Professor Tilley said that ML901 acts through an interesting reaction-hijacking mechanism.

Consider a covert weapon that can be used to cause your car to self-destruct by slamming on the brakes and killing the engine.

ML901 identifies a flaw in the malaria parasite's mechanism for producing the proteins it needs to replicate itself and disables it.

Tests were undertaken utilizing molecules given by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in partnership with Medicines for Malaria Medicine, the apex worldwide body for antimalarial drug discovery and innovation facilities spanning five continents, during which the ML901 chemical was found.

Once within the parasite, ML901 hooked itself to an amino acid and attacked the parasite's synthesis of proteins engine from the inside, grinding it to a standstill.

Human cells are not vulnerable to ML901 because of their molecular structure.

ML901 destroyed malaria parasites that were resistant to presently used medications in experiments utilizing both human blood cultures and an animal model of malaria.

It also demonstrated quick and persistent activity, resulting in good parasite killing.

At least 200 million new malaria infections are identified each year across the world, resulting in over 600,000 fatalities in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Antimalarial resistance has risen steadily over the last 50 years, signaling an imminent catastrophe in which breakthrough treatments are sorely needed.

Professor Tilley stated that the team was prepared to explore the development of novel antimalarial medication people based on such discoveries.

Also Read: Scientists to Use Geoengineering to Lower Global Temperatures and Combat Malaria Spread

Malaria

According to the most recent World Malaria Report, there will be 241 million malaria cases in 2020, up from 227 million in 2019.

Malaria fatalities are expected to reach 627,000 in 2020, an increase of 69,000 over the previous year.

While nearly two-thirds of these fatalities (47,000) were caused by disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining one-third (22,000) were caused by a recent adjustment in WHO's malaria mortality methodology (irrespective of COVID-19 disruptions).

The new cause-of-death technique was tested in 32 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, which account for nearly 93% of all malaria fatalities worldwide.

Since 2000, malaria has claimed a significantly larger toll on African youngsters, according to the approach.

Early detection and treatment decreases Malaria sickness, avoids fatalities, and helps to minimize transmission.

All suspected cases of malaria should be verified using parasite-based diagnostic tests, according to the WHO through either microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test.

Diagnostic testing allows doctors to quickly identify between malarial and non-malarial fevers, making treatment more effective.

Artemisinin-based combination therapy is the best current treatment, especially for P. falciparum malaria (ACT).

The fundamental goal of therapy is to eliminate Plasmodium parasites quickly and completely in order to avoid an uncomplicated case of malaria from escalating to severe illness or death.

Related article: Cone Snail Venom Might Hold the Cure for Malaria, Study Shows