A team of British and Kenyan researchers has just discovered a microbe that can immunize against malaria. Microsporidia MB lives in the intestines and genitals of insects. Researchers have discovered that not all mosquitoes that have this microbe harbor the malaria parasite.
Laboratory studies have confirmed that it protects against malaria. “It’s quite a surprise. The data we have so far suggests that this is a 100% block, it’s a very noticeable block of malaria, “ BBC doctor Jeremy Herren said.
At this stage, researchers have not yet discovered the mechanism by which the microbe, which is very close to the family of fungi, prevents malaria. One of the hypotheses is that it strengthens the mosquito’s immune system which is better able to fight against infections. Another assumption is that it profoundly alters the metabolism of the insect which becomes inhospitable for the malaria parasite.
Researchers are now focusing on understanding the process of spread of Microsporidia MB. Additional tests will be done on mosquitoes in Kenya, the idea being to successfully spread the microbe among mosquito populations.
Scientists believe that it is enough that 40% of mosquitoes in a region are infected with microsporodies to effectively fight the disease. The latter is transmitted in the natural state from females to their offspring and between adult mosquitoes. The researchers therefore plan to infect male mosquitoes in the laboratory which, when released, would infect the females. Another option would be to mass release the spores formed by microsporidia in order to infect mosquitoes.
This concept of disease control by microbes has already been used to reduce the spread of dengue fever by mosquitoes.
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