SafeHomeDIY
  • Home
  • Health
    • Health Today
    • Women’s Health
    • Safety
    • Health & Fitness
    • Weight Loss
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Food & Recipe
    • Skin Care
  • Allergies & Diseases
    • Autism
    • Remedies
  • Pets
  • News
  • #COVID-19
  • Guest Post
SafeHomeDIY
Subscribe
SafeHomeDIY
  • Home
  • Health
    • Health Today
    • Women’s Health
    • Safety
    • Health & Fitness
    • Weight Loss
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Food & Recipe
    • Skin Care
  • Allergies & Diseases
    • Autism
    • Remedies
  • Pets
  • News
  • #COVID-19
  • Guest Post
  • News

Scientists identify microbe that stops mosquitoes catching or spreading malaria

  • May 5, 2020
  • SafeHomeDIY

Scientists have discovered a bug which lives inside the guts of mosquitoes and protects them from getting malaria.

Researchers said the microbe, which lives in around 5 per cent of mosquitoes on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, could also stop the insects from transmitting the disease to humans.

Malaria is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, so finding a way of preventing the insects catching the disease could also protect people.

The malaria-blocking bug, Microsporidia MB, was found to be living in the gut and genitals of the mosquitoes which a team from Glasgow University and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Kenya studied.

The researchers speculated that the bug may either be priming the mosquito’s immune system to fight off the malaria parasite, or it could be having an effect on the insect’s metabolism, making it inhospitable for the malaria parasite.

Dr Jeremy Herren, who led the research, told the BBC: ‘The data we have so far suggest it is 100% blockage, it’s a very severe blockage of malaria.’

Scientists have discovered a bug which lives inside the guts of mosquitoes and protects them from getting malaria

Scientists have discovered a bug which lives inside the guts of mosquitoes and protects them from getting malaria

Scientists have discovered a bug which lives inside the guts of mosquitoes and protects them from getting malaria

Malaria kills more than 400,000 people each year and most of them are children under five.

Around 250,000 of these deaths occur in Africa. The disease is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, of which five cause malaria.

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters their bloodstream.

Symptoms include a fever, feeling hot and shivery, headaches, vomiting and muscle pain.

However, the latest breakthrough could provide a powerful new weapon in a fight against the disease.

Lab experiments confirmed that the microsporidia microbe gave the Kenyan mosquitos protection against malaria.

Not a single mosquito which was carrying the bug was found to be harbouring the malaria parasite.

Whilst most microsporidias – which are fungi or closely related to them – are parasites, this newly-discovered species may benefit the mosquito

It was found naturally in one in 20 of the insects studied.

Encouragingly, the malaria-blocking effect would also be long-lasting because the Microsporidia MB infections appear to be life-long in the mosquitoes.

However, at least 40 per cent of mosquitoes in any area would need to be infected with the bug to significantly combat malaria.

The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Nature Communications, are now investigating ways to increase the number of mosquitoes infected with Microspordia MB.

The malaria-blocking bug, Microsporidia MB, was found to be living in the gut and genitals of the mosquitoes which a team from Glasgow University and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Kenya studied

The malaria-blocking bug, Microsporidia MB, was found to be living in the gut and genitals of the mosquitoes which a team from Glasgow University and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Kenya studied

The malaria-blocking bug, Microsporidia MB, was found to be living in the gut and genitals of the mosquitoes which a team from Glasgow University and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Kenya studied

Because the bug is found in the guts of mosquitoes, it may be possible to introduce it to a wider insect population by growing spores and putting them in sugar which would be eaten by the mosquitoes.

‘It’s a new discovery. We are very excited by its potential for malaria control. It has enormous potential,’ Professor Steven Simkins, from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, told the BBC.

The concept of using microbes to fight against mosquito-borne diseases is not unprecedented.

A type of bacteria called Wolbachia was found by scientists at the universities of Glasgow and Melbourne to make it harder for mosquitoes to spread dengue fever. .

Scientists injected a strain of Wolbachia into mosquitoes bred in a lab, before releasing them around Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

When the mosquitoes breed, they produce offspring that also carry Wolbachia. Dengue bacteria struggles to compete and survive.

Results of the trial showed the technique helped to slash human cases of the serious infection by 40 per cent over the course of around a year.

WHAT IS MALARIA? 

Malaria is a life-threatening tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. 

It is one of the world’s biggest killers, claiming the life of a child every two minutes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most of these deaths occur in Africa, where 250,000 youngsters die from the disease every year. 

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, of which five cause malaria.

The Plasmodium parasite is mainly spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes.

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters their bloodstream. 

Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Feeling hot and shivery
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting 
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhoea

These usually appear between a week and 18 days of infection, but can taken up to a year or occasionally even more.

People should seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms during or after visiting a malaria-affected area.

Malaria is found in more than 100 countries, including:

  • Large areas of Africa and Asia
  • Central and South America
  • Haiti and the Dominican Republic
  • Parts of the Middle East
  • Some Pacific Islands 

A blood test confirms a diagnosis. 

In very rare cases, malaria can be spread via blood transfusions. 

For the most part, malaria can be avoided by using insect repellent, wearing clothes that cover your limbs and using an insecticide-treated mosquito net. 

Malaria prevention tablets are also often recommended. 

Treatment, which involves anti-malaria medication, usually leads to a full recovery if done early enough.

Untreated, the infection can result in severe anaemia. This occurs when the parasites enter red blood cells, which then rupture and reduce the number of the cells overall.

And cerebral malaria can occur when the small blood vessels in the brain become blocked, leading to seizures, brain damage and even coma. 

Source: NHS Choices 

Source: Daily Mail | Health News

SafeHomeDIY

Health - Relationships - Lifestyle Related matters. It's All About your Safety First - It's All About You

Previous Article
  • Health

How to wear a face mask

  • May 5, 2020
  • SafeHomeDIY
View Post
Next Article
  • News

Sleep your way to beat corona: It’s a crucial way to boost your immunity and could be a vital weapon

  • May 5, 2020
  • SafeHomeDIY
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Celebrity Lifestyle
  • News

The Tragic Death Of A Christmas Story Actor Melinda Dillon

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Celebrity Lifestyle
  • News

Ant Anstead Sure Was Quick To React To Tarek And Heather Rae El Moussa Welcoming Their First Child

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Business
  • News

This was Biden’s excuse for ignoring questions about all but 1 topic

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Celebrity Lifestyle
  • News

Dwayne Johnson Posts The Grisly Aftermath Of His Mother’s Scary Car Crash

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Celebrity Lifestyle
  • News

Taylor Lautner’s Twilight Rivalry With Robert Pattinson Wasn’t Just On Screen

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Celebrity Lifestyle
  • News

Nick Carter Has Choice Words For His Accusers In Fiery New Court Filing

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Business
  • News

Dom Lucre just DECIMATES ‘white privilege’ in thread asking white people what their privilege got them

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
View Post
  • Business
  • News

Michael Shellenberger takes Hunter Biden APART for demanding his dad’s DOJ investigate whistleblower

  • SafeHomeDIY
  • February 3, 2023
Recent Posts
  • Balloons Aren’t Just for Kids’ Parties—They Can Launch Bombs, Drone Swarms and Even EMP Attacks
  • Feel-Good Friday: Gen Z Kids Are Gonna Be Alright
  • BREAKING: Billings, MT Can’t Substantiate Report of Explosion in Air Where Chinese Spy Balloon Had Been
  • High School Swimmer Disqualified Because American Flag on His Cap Was .2 Centimeters Too Large
  • The Tragic Death Of A Christmas Story Actor Melinda Dillon
Safe Home DIY
  • Guest Post
  • Disclaimer and Disclosure
  • Term of Use
Health - Relationships - Lifestyle Related matters. It's All About your Safety First - It's All About You

Input your search keywords and press Enter.