Fungus to Kill Malaria Parasite

An anti-malarial fungus which kills malaria parasite in mosquitoes has been genetically engineered by scientists at the John Hopkins School of Public Health and the University of Westminster, London. 'Metarhizium anisopliae' is the fungus and is found in soils everywhere. It infects adult mosquitoes through the cuticle. When malaria carrying mosquitoes were infected with this genetically modified fungus, it was found that the fungus killed the malaria parasite in the mosquitoes, thus preventing its transmission into humans. When this fungus comes in contact with the mosquito it immediately bores in through the cuticle. The fungus multiplies and occupies the circulatory system (hemo lymph) of the mosquito, eventually killing the insect.

In order to be infectious the malaria parasite has to navigate through this hemo lymph to reach the salivary glands. It is possible to prevent malaria by genetically modifying the fungus to release anti-malarial agents into the hemo lymph. As the fungal spores enter the mosquito by contact, they can be applied to surfaces as insecticides are applied on walls, ceilings and bed nets or by spraying baited stations. The idea of this new technique is to break the cycle of mosquito's transmitting the disease to humans.

It may take some years for this genetically modified fungus to be approved for use. However this would not be the first fungus-based product in the market. A similar modified fungus is already in use against locusts in Africa, Australia and China. The idea of this technique is to break the cycle of mosquito's transmitting malaria into humans. This major breakthrough is heralded as a significant development in the battle against malaria which claims million lives every year.


Source-Medindia