malaria

Introduction

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite significant efforts to control and reduce its prevalence, malaria remains a major global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Insights

Disease Burden and Mortality:
- Malaria continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is the leading cause of death for children under five years of age .
- The global burden of malaria has been reduced by more than half in the last fifteen years due to improved control measures, but it still results in hundreds of thousands of deaths annually .
Challenges in Eradication:
- The resurgence of malaria towards the end of the 20th century was due to drug-resistant strains of the parasite and insecticide-resistant mosquito vectors .
- Current challenges include resistance to artemisinin derivatives and their partner drugs, as well as insecticides, which complicate eradication efforts .
Vaccine Development:
- Despite ongoing efforts, no malaria vaccine has yet provided long-lasting benefits at a population level. The first vaccine (RTS,S/AS01) has been developed and approved, but more efficacious vaccines are still needed .
Immune Resistance and Pathology:
- Understanding the mechanisms of immune resistance to malaria in both human and mosquito hosts is crucial for developing effective prevention tools.
- The clinical symptoms of malaria are primarily due to the infection of human erythrocytes by the parasite, leading to severe complications such as cerebral malaria and acute kidney injury .
Control Measures:
- Renewed control efforts, including the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets and artemisinin-based combination therapies, have significantly reduced the global burden of malaria.
- Effective vector control strategies and early diagnosis and treatment are essential for reducing malaria transmission and preventing severe outcomes .

Conclusion

Malaria remains a significant global health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. While control measures have reduced its prevalence, challenges such as drug and insecticide resistance hinder eradication efforts. Continued research into vaccine development, understanding immune resistance, and improving control strategies are essential to further reduce the burden of malaria and move towards its eventual eradication.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Malaria immunity in man and mosquito: insights into unsolved mysteries of a deadly infectious disease.

Malaria immunity in humans and mosquitoes is complex and evolving, with potential for eradication through vaccines and vector control strategies.

Malaria − an overview

Malaria resurgence is primarily due to drug-resistant strains, insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, and lack of licensed vaccines, with a complex life cycle and complex parasite life cycle.

Malaria

Malaria control efforts using bednets and artemisinin-based therapies have reduced the global burden, but increased resources and regional cooperation are needed for further substantial inroads into the disease burden.

Malaria

Malaria is a preventable and treatable infectious disease that kills more than half a million people annually, disproportionately impacting women, young children, and the most poor and vulnerable.

Malaria: Biology and Disease

Malaria control efforts have reduced the disease prevalence by over half, with new tools like vaccines and drugs playing a crucial role in eradication.

Malaria: mechanisms of erythrocytic infection and pathological correlates of severe disease.

Understanding the basic mechanisms of malaria infection and tissue pathology may lead to new diagnostics and treatments, including new treatments for cerebral malaria.

The cellular and molecular basis for malaria parasite invasion of the human red blood cell

The malaria parasite invasion of human red blood cells involves a complex process involving proteins and underlying mechanisms, which are crucial for understanding the disease and developing effective treatments.

Malaria and acute kidney injury

Malaria can cause acute kidney injury (AKI), with potential mechanisms including acute tubular necrosis, infection-triggered proinflammatory reactions, and metabolic disturbances.

Malaria surveillance--United States, 1998.

The 20.5% decrease in malaria cases in 1998 compared to 1997 primarily resulted from decreased P. vivax cases acquired in Asia among non-U.S. civilians.

Malaria: The Past and the Present

Malaria has been fought globally for over 60 years, with early diagnosis, timely treatment, and prevention being key to reducing the disease burden, but recent trends show a slowdown in progress towards WHO targets.

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