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Older adults, Zinc deficiency, Artemisia and Corona

August 19, 2020 - 19:57 -- Pierre Lutgen
Tags: 
corona, artemisia, elderly, age, CYP3A4, chlorogenic

submitted by Pierre Lutgen, Jerome Munyangi and Mutaz Akkawi

Zinc (Zn) plays an essential role in many biological processes including immune response. Impaired Zn status promotes immune dysfunction, and it has been associated with enhanced chronic inflammation during aging. Zinc has a pivotal role in the entire immune system fostering resistance to infections by virus, fungi and bacteria. The immune system is strongly impaired by zinc deficiency, predominantly the cell-mediated response by T-lymphocytes.

Podcast: Peptide-Based PD1 Antagonist Stimulates T Cell Responses

August 15, 2020 - 14:05 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast

Malaria Minute, 14 August 2020
A peptide derived from Bacillus bacteria stimulates the production of T cells prophylactically and therapeutically, and researchers explore the use of satellite imagery to assess the suitability of malaria vectors in different geographies.
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New from MESA: Malaria Consortium updates its research and implementation activities in MESA Track

August 12, 2020 - 18:02 -- MESA Alliance
Tags: 
malaria; MESA; Malaria Consortium

Malaria Consortium’s work includes technical assistance, implementation and research activities. One of the main goals of the organisation is to identify innovative approaches for monitoring, evaluation and surveillance systems, and high-quality implementation research leading to evidence-based strategies for the control and eventual elimination of malaria. Browse MESA Track to discover their research efforts in more than 10 countries.

Podcast: New Insights Into Erythrocyte-Binding Plasmodium Protein

July 31, 2020 - 10:38 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
podcast; malaria

Malaria Minute, 31 August 2020
Scientists publish new insights into Plasmodium falciparum P2, and the IDDO launch an online tool to map the prevalence of substandard and falsified antimalarial drugs around the world.
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New from MESA: Plasmodium vivax research: A conversation with ICREA Prof Hernando A. del Portillo

July 29, 2020 - 11:41 -- MESA Alliance
Tags: 
malaria; MESA

ICREA Prof Hernando A. del Portillo studied molecular aspects of parasites at the University of Georgia, USA, where he received his PhD, followed by two WHO postdoctoral trainings at the New York University Medical Centre (USA) and the Institut Pasteur (France) where he specialized in molecular biology of malaria parasites. Since then, he has pursued molecular studies in Plasmodium vivax malaria to unveil the mechanisms of virulence and to develop rational control strategies in different institutions.

New from MESA: The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) celebrates 15 years of partnership and shares over 100 operational research projects in MESA Track

July 28, 2020 - 16:39 -- MESA Alliance
Tags: 
mesa; malaria

Since 2006, PMI has partnered with countries hardest hit by malaria, supporting introduction and scaling of proven, life-saving malaria interventions protecting more than 570 million people at risk annually. In countries where PMI works, their investments have significantly contributed to a 27% decline in malaria cases and a 60% decline in malaria deaths.

Omega-rich oils are efficient against malaria, but may enhance viral infections

July 21, 2020 - 07:43 -- Pierre Lutgen
Tags: 
corona, PUFA, artemisia

In a recent review paper we described the strong antimalarial properties of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but also raised some concerns about the potential risks for viral infections.

            Jérôme Munyangi, Pierre Lutgen, Artemisia plants, arachidonic and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. Malaria World Journal MWJ 2020, 11:3.

Podcast: Plasmodium Mimics NK-Inhibitor to Evade Immune Response

July 20, 2020 - 09:20 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 17 July 2020
Researchers find that the malaria parasite mimics a natural molecule that inhibits the release of NK cells, and the effect of insecticide resistance on the reproductive potential of Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes has been revealed.
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Podcast: Mass Drug Administration for Malaria Elimination in Zambia

July 10, 2020 - 12:41 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 10 July 2020

Zambian study reveals that mass drug administration is safe, logistically feasible, accepted by communities, and effective in reducing malaria prevalence in the short term, and the Medicines for Malaria Venture launch Malaria Libre, an open-source drug discovery programme.
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Podcast: Extent of Insecticide Resistance in Africa Revealed

July 3, 2020 - 08:27 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 03 July 2020

The prevalence of insecticide resistance increases in Africa and researchers find that the malaria parasite interferes with red blood cell development to ensure gametocyte maturation.

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Podcast: CDK5 Controls Atypical Replication of Plasmodium Parasite

June 26, 2020 - 14:49 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 26 June 2020

CDK5 regulates atypical cell division in gametogony and is essential for DNA replication, and researchers assess whether two experimental vaccines can be combined to create a multistage vaccine against malaria.

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New from MESA: Towards a vaccine for Plasmodium vivax (ongoing)

June 25, 2020 - 12:45 -- MESA Alliance
Tags: 
MESA; COVID10; malaria

Malaria-free world has been an ultimate goal embraced by WHO just decade after its foundation, however only 38 countries in temperate zone were able to eliminate malaria since then. In 2017, WHO Executive Board reasserted their full and firm support towards malaria eradication. The lancet commission on Malaria eradication has called for global experts and policy makers to agree upon an ambitious target of eradicating malaria by 2050.

New from MESA: Clinical Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Malaria Settings (ongoing)

June 25, 2020 - 12:35 -- MESA Alliance
Tags: 
MESA; malaria; COVID-19

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve it is essential to mitigate risk of increased incidence of other infectious diseases. In malaria-endemic regions, it will be important to understand the potential impact to epidemiological changes, trends in transmission, and clinical presentation of COVID-19 and malaria individually, and as co-infections.

Relapsing Malaria and Parasite Numbers

June 17, 2020 - 01:16 -- Miles Markus
Tags: 
bone marrow; hypnozoite; malaria; Plasmodium; recrudescence; recurrence; relapse; spleen; vivax

Only a "few" hypnozoites occur in patients who have Plasmodium vivax infections, compared to the large, non-circulating merozoite biomass that is now known to be present.

Therefore, to readily ascribe P. vivax malarial recurrences to hypnozoite activation, as is currently common practice, is no longer appropriate without good reasons for doing so. Forget about what you were taught at university in this context and keep an open mind.

Podcast: Recently Identified Quinoline Resistance Not Prevalent in Africa

June 15, 2020 - 10:51 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 12 June 2020

New mutations to the quinoline drug family identified in South America and Asia are not prevalent in Africa and scientists evaluate a new field-based malaria blood test.

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Malaria inhibits Covid

June 10, 2020 - 17:50 -- Pierre Lutgen
Tags: 
covid malaria artemisia artesunate

 

The role of immunoglobulines E

In January 2020 we published together with 3 medical doctors from Africa: “Jérôme, Munyangi, Pascal Gisenya, Patrick Ogwang …Immunoglobulins in the skin lead to long-lasting prophylaxis. Pharm Pharmacol Int Journal, PPIJ, 2020, Issue1”, a paper which, if widely spread, could have had a dramatic impact on the way the present Covid-19 crisis is handled.

One of the key findings of their work is that immunoglobulins are higher in malaria endemic areas.

Podcast: Novel Malaria Drug Artefenomel Assessed Against Plasmodium vivax Infection

June 5, 2020 - 10:48 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 5 June 2020

Artefenomel is assessed against Plasmodium vivax infection in humans to determine the minimum effective dose required for parasite clearance and a beta version of the Global Vector Hub is launched.

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Podcast: Spleen Plays Major Role in Plasmodium vivax Infection

May 29, 2020 - 10:52 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 29 May 2020

The spleen plays a major role in the expression of P. vivax genes and the production of antigens associated with clinical protection, and scientists develop an AI that can detect Plasmodium infection in the blood.

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Parasite Origins of Long-term Malarial Recurrences

May 28, 2020 - 00:10 -- Miles Markus
Tags: 
bone marrow; hypnozoite; malaria; Plasmodium; recrudescence; recurrence; relapse; vivax

As is well known, long-term malarial recurrences are a feature of human infections caused by species of Plasmodium. The frequency of recurrence varies. In P. falciparum malaria, long-term recurrence is rare, but not (contrary to popular belief) non-existent. P. malariae [Pm] and P. vivax [Pv] only will be considered below; and with reference to only the bone marrow as a site of parasite occurrence.

New from MESA: BioMalPar XVI: Biology and Pathology of the Malaria Parasite - Virtual

May 27, 2020 - 17:29 -- MESA Alliance

MESA Correspondents bring you cutting-edge coverage from the XVI BioMalPar virtual Conference “Biology and Pathology of the Malaria Parasite”

* MESA only reported the talks that had the approval of the speaker

Day 1 Monday 18th May 2020

Viruses, Malaria, Platelets and Artemisia

May 23, 2020 - 10:12 -- Pierre Lutgen
Tags: 
malaria covid platelets, saliva, immunoglobulins

 

In my previous comments on www.malariaworld.org I alerted to the possibility that the widespread malaria infections in sub-Saharan Africa might provide a protection against the Covid virus. Trying to find an explanation for this observation might be important.

Podcast: Serological Tests for P. vivax Malaria Could Reduce Disease Transmission by 69%

May 15, 2020 - 19:35 -- Malaria Minute
Tags: 
malaria; podcast; minute

Malaria Minute, 15 May 2020

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.

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World Health Organization: Malaria eradication: benefits, future scenarios & feasibility

May 13, 2020 - 13:53 -- Malaria World
Tags: 
malaria; eradication; report

Report of the Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication

After a 3-year study of trends and future projects, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication has released a detailed report of its key findings and recommendations. The report builds on an executive summary published in August 2019. Members of the advisory group highlight 6 areas in the report that would underpin a successful malaria eradication effort:

1. reinforcing the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030;
2. research & development for new tools;
3. access to affordable, high quality, people-centered health care and services;
4. adequate and sustained financing;
5. strengthened surveillance and response; and
6. engaging communities.

Community-based health care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

May 13, 2020 - 13:14 -- Malaria World
Tags: 
malaria; COVID-19 community; health care

Community-based health care, including outreach and campaigns, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Community-based health care is an essential part of primary care at all times; in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distinct capacity of trusted community members for social engagement and delivering care where it is needed is ever more critical. This joint WHO, UNICEF and IFRC guidance addresses the role of community-based health care in the pandemic context. It includes practical recommendations for decision makers to help keep communities and health workers safe, to sustain essential services at the community level, and to ensure an effective response to COVID-19. Using this comprehensive and coordinated approach will help countries strengthen the resilience of community-based health services throughout the pandemic, into early recovery and beyond. Read more

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