A new study has revealed that the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), the release of sexually sterile male insects to wipe out a pest population, could be a potential solution to the problem of malaria.
The study reviewed the history of the technique, and featured details about aspects of its application in the elimination of malaria.
"In the context of elimination, SIT could play a unique role. As part of an area-wide integrated pest management programme, the SIT may be able to minimize problems due to insecticide resistance to antimalarial drugs. Because it is uniquely effective at low mosquito densities, SIT might be just the thing to deliver the final blow to mosquito populations and to completely remove malaria from a given area," said Benedict.
SIT involves the generation of 'sterile' male mosquitoes, which are incapable of producing offspring despite being sexually active.
About Mosquito Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
This leads to an increasing reduction in the population over time, in contrast to insecticides, which kill a certain fraction of the insect population.
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Speaking about this new, freely available resource, Benedict said: "The SIT has proven highly effective over large areas when used against other insects. We produced this supplement because we believe that the technique has been overlooked as an anti-mosquito method. Its efficiency in low vector-population settings precisely complements insecticide-treated bednets, indoor residual spraying and larval control: when they are at their weakest, SIT is at its strongest. This supplement gives researchers and public health authorities information about the state-of-the-art as well as identifying specific challenges and requirements for successful implementation."
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Antibody-based Therapies Effective at Controlling Malaria
Passive immunization through the development of fully human antibodies specific to Plasmodium falciparum may be effective at controlling the disease, according to a report.
Passive immunization through the development of fully human antibodies specific to Plasmodium falciparum may be effective at controlling the disease, according to a report.
Source-ANI
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