Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 29: In a breakthrough that could change the course of malaria control, scientists have discovered a new drug, nitisinone, which can significantly suppress the mosquito population, thereby reducing malaria transmission.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and spread through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes, is traditionally treated with ivermectin. However, concerns over its environmental impact and potential resistance in humans and animals have led researchers to explore alternative solutions.

A study published in Science Translational Medicine has revealed that nitisinone, a drug used to treat rare genetic disorders like alkaptonuria and tyrosinemia type 1, can turn human blood toxic to mosquitoes. "One way to stop the spread of insect-borne diseases is to make the blood of animals and humans lethal to these blood-feeding insects," said co-author Lee R Haines.

The study involved testing blood samples from alkaptonuria patients on Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector in Africa. Researchers found that when mosquitoes fed on blood containing nitisinone, the drug blocked an enzyme pathway in them, leading to their death.

A key advantage of nitisinone is its prolonged presence in the human body compared to ivermectin, making it a more effective long-term solution. "Nitisinone could be employed in areas where ivermectin resistance persists or where it is already heavily used in livestock and humans," Haines noted.

Besides its potential in controlling malaria-causing mosquito populations, the drug also holds promise for reducing treatment costs for patients suffering from rare genetic disorders. Currently, the price of nitisinone ranges between Rs 1,200 and Rs 50,000.

While the drug’s effectiveness in killing mosquitoes of all ages is promising, scientists emphasize the need for further research to determine an optimal and environmentally safe dosage before large-scale implementation.