Page 21 - Issue 9

Science & Health

Breakthrough

Microbe can prevent

mosquitoes from

infection by malaria

parasites

The Mosquito

newly identified microbe, named explains Dr Jeremy Herren, current icipe The researchers stress that further
A Microsporidia MB, can prevent Scientist who led the study while jointly studies will be needed to determine
mosquitoes from being infected by affiliated with icipe and the University precisely how Microsporidia MB could
malaria parasites. This microbe could of Glasgow, UK. “Healthy insects often be used to control malaria. The next
be used to block the transmission have microbial symbionts inside their phase of the research will investigate
of malaria parasites from mosquito bodies and cells, which can have major the dynamics of the microbes in large
vectors to humans, according to new effects on the biology of their hosts. mosquito populations in screen house
research published by researchers At icipe, my team’s research is focused ‘semi-field’ facilities.
from the International Centre of Insect on this type of microbial symbiont, While significant achievements have
Physiology and Ecology in Kenya and especially when they may be interfering been made in tackling malaria, with a
the University of Glasgow in the United with transmission of diseases by insects.” reduction of cases by an estimated 40%
Kingdom. Although the new Microsporidia MB noticeable by 2015, progress has now
This breakthrough comes at a time when symbiont is naturally found at relatively plateaued. Therefore, there is a need
the World Health Organisation (WHO) low levels in malaria mosquitoes in to ensure current control measures
has warned that the current COVID-19 Kenya, the researchers believe that there are maintained and strengthened,
outbreak could increase deaths from may be ways to increase the proportion while also advancing novel control
malaria as focus shifts towards the of moquitoes that carry it, to block strategies. Moreover, the World Health
coronavirus, and called for continued their capacity to transmit malaria. Organization (WHO) has recently
research and advancements in this area. This type of transmission-blocking warned that any interruptions in malaria
In a study published in Nature intervention has been shown to have control efforts due to the COVID-19
pandemic could increase malaria
Communications journal, the scientists transformative potential for controlling incidences and impact.
report that the microbe, which they have Dengue, a disease transmitted by Aedes
named Microsporidia MB, was found aegypti mosquitoes. Until now, there Further, as icipe Director General,
in Anopheles mosquitoes. The study have been few examples of microbes that Dr Segenet Kelemu observes: “Given
was conducted on mosquitoes in their affect malaria transmission mosquitoes. recent developments in Africa and
natural environments, mainly on the “We were excited to find that the globally, the importance of scientific
shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. The Microsporidia MB symbiont is advancement has never been more real.
researchers established that mosquitoes transmitted from mother mosquitoes The ongoing coronavirus pandemic,
carrying Microsporidia MB do not to their offspring, and that the microbe the current locust outbreak in eastern
harbour malaria parasites either in does not compromise the ability of Africa, and the fall armyworm invasion
nature, or after experimental infection in mosquitoes to survive,” adds Lilian that has been ongoing since 2016,
the laboratory. The research also showed Mbaisi, a Kenyan scholar who was place a most urgent call-to-action for
that Microsporidia MB is passed from involved in the study, as part of her science and scientists, policymakers and
female mosquitoes to their offspring at MSc research at icipe, registered at the development partners.”
high rates, and the microbe does not kill University of Nairobi. She adds: “These events also serve as a
or cause obvious harm to the mosquito clear demonstration of the opportunity
host. The authors note that these two attributes cost brought on by deficiencies in
are key, as they could enable the spread support for critical research and the
“The bodies of all animals are of symbionts through mosquito effective translation of knowledge into
inhabited by microbes which are either populations, and their maintenance innovative solutions. We must all remain
detrimental – in other words pathogens; across many malaria transmission alert and unwavered; aware that every
or neutral / beneficial symbionts,” seasons. breakthrough is vital.”

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