Malaria Minute

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.

A protein called PIMMS43 enables the malaria parasite to evade the mosquito’s immune system and scientists describe a highly conserved protein in the malaria parasite that is essential for the invasion of red blood cells.

The global supply chain linked to deforestation leads to an increase in malaria prevalence and scientists identify the mechanism of action of clemastine, an antihistamine that inhibits multiple stages of the malaria parasite’s lifecycle.

Researchers target Plasmepsin proteases as resistance to ACT grows, and the process by which the malaria parasite suppresses the immune system is detailed by scientists.

The Molecular Approaches to Malaria Conference takes place in Australia, and a study into the long-term side effects of antimalarials could not identify any sufficient evidence of association between malaria prophylaxis and adverse health effects.

Scientists identify two proteins that are essential for the malaria parasite’s genetic malleability, and the substance responsible for ‘rosette’ formation in human red blood cells is identified.

Scientists find that the EphA2 protein mediates a critical stage of cerebral malaria and data scientists construct a statistical modelling framework of malaria seasonality in Madagascar.