A team of researchers, including Indian-American scientist Souvik Bhattacharjee has discovered an important gene that is used to track the malaria parasites resistant to artemisinin. Mutation in the gene increases the kinase or enzyme levels, which in turn increases the levels of a particular lipid, called PI3P.
The higher the level of this lipid present in the parasite, the greater is the level of artemisinin resistance. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are the standard treatment worldwide for P. falciparum malaria. Though artemisinins have been used and investigated widely, it was not known how they worked or why clinical resistance has emerged.
Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite that enters blood through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is characterized by fever, vomiting, shivering, sweating and other symptoms.
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"Our results are especially significant because, we studied clinical parasites from Cambodia, where artemisinin resistance is highly prevalent," explained Souvik Bhattacharjee, research assistant professor of biological sciences, University of Notre Dame and co-first author of the paper.
"We collaborated with researchers and clinicians in Asia, Europe and the US," Bhattacharjee noted.
"We observed that levels of a lipid called phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P) were higher in artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum than artemisinin-sensitive strains," said Alassane Mbengue, a postdoctoral associate in biological sciences and co-first author on the study.
The paper appeared in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society .
Source: IANS
"We observed that levels of a lipid called phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P) were higher in artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum than artemisinin-sensitive strains," said Alassane Mbengue, a postdoctoral associate in biological sciences and co-first author on the study.
The paper appeared in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society .
Source: IANS
Quiz on Malaria
Malaria is a common parasitic disease of the tropics, resulting in a million deaths every year. Early detection and adequate treatment at the right time can reduce deaths due to malaria. Test your knowledge on this condition by taking this quiz.
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