Malaria Minute

The BioMalPar conference takes place online and the synchronisation of Plasmodium infection is controlled by the parasite’s own internal clock

Antibody tests for P. vivax malaria could reduce disease prevalence by up to 69% and scientists develop a sex-distorter gene drive that eliminates populations of mosquitoes in the lab.

Scientists find that microsporidia MB stops malaria transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes by disrupting oocyst formation.

The combined use of mass drug administration and indoor residual spraying is the most effective way to reduce malaria prevalence in low malaria-endemic settings, and antibodies against PfGARP kill malaria-infected cells by inducing cell death.

A summary of where we are in the fight against malaria and an overview of what more needs to be done.

Genetic variation would seem to have little impact on the success of gene drive interventions due to conserved Cas9 target sites in populations of Anopheles mosquitoes.

Results from the first human trial of the novel antimalarial drug SJ733 are published in The Lancet.

Enhancing antibody induction may improve the protective efficacy of RTS,S and researchers find that more gametocytes are produced when human infection is initiated by blood-stage parasites compared to mosquito bite.

The FDA issue an emergency use authorisation for the anti-malarial drug chloroquine, allowing for it to be used to treat certain hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Scientists evaluate chloroquine as a potential treatment for the coronavirus and, as it continues to spread around the world, a report in The Lancet stresses the need for preparedness in malaria-endemic regions.