Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Genetic Mutation in African Malaria Parasite Shown to Give Resistance to Best Drugs
ScienceDaily (Apr. 27, 2012) — Scientists have identified genetic mutations in the deadliest malaria parasite in Africa that are giving it resistance to one of the most powerful anti-malarial drugs. The researchers say their findings are a further warning that the best weapons against malaria could become obsolete.
The artemisinin group of drugs are the most effective and widely used treatments for malaria. They are most powerful and less likely to be resisted by the malaria parasite when used with other drugs as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). But the new study confirms previous suggestions that mutations in a key part of the parasite can provide resistance to artemether, one of the two most effective artemisinins.
The research group, led by a team at St George's, University of London, discovered artemether resistance in parasite samples taken from 11 of the 28 malaria-infected patients in the study. On average, artemether's effectiveness was reduced by half. Each parasite was found to have the same genetic mutations.
More: http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...encedaily (ScienceDaily: Latest Science News)
ScienceDaily (Apr. 27, 2012) — Scientists have identified genetic mutations in the deadliest malaria parasite in Africa that are giving it resistance to one of the most powerful anti-malarial drugs. The researchers say their findings are a further warning that the best weapons against malaria could become obsolete.
The artemisinin group of drugs are the most effective and widely used treatments for malaria. They are most powerful and less likely to be resisted by the malaria parasite when used with other drugs as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). But the new study confirms previous suggestions that mutations in a key part of the parasite can provide resistance to artemether, one of the two most effective artemisinins.
The research group, led by a team at St George's, University of London, discovered artemether resistance in parasite samples taken from 11 of the 28 malaria-infected patients in the study. On average, artemether's effectiveness was reduced by half. Each parasite was found to have the same genetic mutations.
More: http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...encedaily (ScienceDaily: Latest Science News)