Possible malaria treatment uses carbon monoxide
Malaria is caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes.
Photo:
Gerald Yuvallos
A medical procedure involving the controlled inhalation of carbon monoxide might prove a cheap and effective treatment in the fight against cerebral malaria.
Caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes, malaria is widespread in parts of the Americas, Asia and Africa. It kills millions each year. Children are especially affected. Cerebral malaria is a severe form of malaria that affects the brain and is fatal in about 30-50% of the cases.
The new study led by Ana Pamplona in Portugal found that when dying mice infected with cerebral malaria were exposed to carbon monoxide, they survived the disease. The researchers looked not at the malaria parasite itself, but at what they call the “host factors,” specifically a gene called Hmox1.
Dr. Ana Pamplona: Our group is very focused on the host factors that influence the malaria infection and there is already strong evidence that the host factors are very important for the outcome of the malaria infection.
The joint action of this gene and carbon monoxide appear to counteract the development of cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria causes an inflammation. Carbon monoxide is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. The inhaled carbon monoxide appears to inhibit the development of the infection in the brains of mice.
Dr. Pamplona said clinical trials in humans would need to be strictly monitored due to carbon monoxide’s toxicity.
Cerebral malaria is a form of malaria that is very deadly. The mortality rate is between 25 and 50%. If a person isn’t treated, cerebral malaria is fatal in 24-72 hours.
From a report on Pamplona’s work in CienciaHoje: “Malaria is one of the most devastating diseases, only second in impact to tuberculosis, and causing 1 in 5 of all childhood deaths in Africa. Half a million infected cases, largely in developing countries, result in a million deaths a year. The disease is provoked by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bite of female mosquitoes, and is characterised by fever and general poor condition that, if the patient is healthy, can be effectively treated. But a vaccine continues to elude scientists and the emergence of insectide-resistant mosquitoes and parasites resistant to the malaria drugs available has led to an increase of malaria cases in recent years. Considering that 40% of the world population lives in affected areas, this increase can have catastrophic health and economical consequences, especially in developing countries, but not only there. In fact, and probably due to climate change, malaria mosquitoes have already appeared in places as ‘remote’ as New York.”
Authors of the original paper are Ana Pamplona, Miguel P. Soares and Maria Mota.
Possible Way To Fight Cerebral Malaria: Give Patients Carbon Monoxide
