Malaria mosquitoes have been causing health issues worldwide. Scientists state that the parasite kills about 600,000 individuals each year. Children are usually affected by this problem. A common technique for controlling malaria is to kill mosquitoes. But a Harvard team has discovered a couple of drugs that can rid these insects of the malarial parasite.
The Drugs
Experts suggest curing the malaria mosquitoes of the disease instead of killing them. The insects’ legs absorb the drugs. Scientists aim to coat bed nets with this drug combination. Using these bed nets while you sleep can prevent the spread of malaria.
This malaria drug for mosquitoes can help with the insecticide resistance of these insects. Studies show that chemicals used in several countries are no longer effective. The drug can also support the malaria vaccines that children receive.
The aim is to kill the malaria-causing parasite in the mosquitoes. These insects are still beneficial, which is why this strategy is important. It kills the parasite and not the mosquito. Scientists studied the DNA of malaria mosquitoes. They analyzed a large list of potential drugs to cure the mosquitoes. Their research gave them 22. The scientists tested the shortlist of drugs on lab-cultured female mosquitoes. These insects were fed malaria-contaminated blood.
Researchers also applied them to treated bed nets. The parasites in them will still be killed even if the mosquitoes survive the insecticide. The drug lasts for about a year on this barrier. This effect will prevent the female mosquitoes from spreading malaria. Scientists believe that resistance to the drug is less likely. The drug is long-lasting and inexpensive. It was successful in the laboratory. Next will be a trial in Ethiopia. The scientists will treat bed nets with the drug and assess its effectiveness in a real-world setting. Six years is the standard trial period for every study.
The Trial
Killing the parasite in malaria mosquitoes is the main goal of the trial. This result must happen before the female mosquitoes can infect individuals. The study involves using bed nets as the medium. Harvard’s research team screened about 81 antimalarial drugs by applying each topically to female mosquitoes.
The Results
Results show that 22 of the antimalarial drugs lowered mosquito infection. Two of them were under ELQs (endochin-like quinolones). These drugs kill parasites by blocking their mitochondria from producing energy. The ELQs needed some modification. The goal was to enable drug absorption through the mosquito’s legs. That is why ELQ-613 and ELQ-453 were synthesized. These two modifications prevented mosquitoes from contracting malaria. The drug also prevents mosquitoes from developing insecticide resistance.
The research team also applied these two ELQs to polyethylene films, much like the materials used for making bed nets. One contact with these treated films protected the mosquitoes from infection for about two days. The intensity and the risk of infection were significantly reduced four days after contact. A year later, the scientists tested the films. It was amazing to find that the films were still effective even against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
The researchers found that there were no parasites developed resistance to both ELQs. Mosquitoes that were resistant to one of them had impaired development at high-levels. Either result would reduce malaria transmission to humans.
Malaria mosquitoes cause numerous hospitalizations and deaths each year. Trying to kill these insects has only resulted in insecticide resistance. The mentioned new drugs can help prevent insecticide resistance. They can also save the lives of these beneficial insects while merely kill the malaria parasite.