Drug Turns Human Blood Into Mosquito Poison
Info
Human blood is transformed into mosquito poison by a drug that treats a rare disease.
Using human blood that has been lacerated with a chemical that is toxic to mosquitoes, scientists have devised a revolutionary new strategy for reducing the number of mosquitoes and combating malaria. The insects will die while sucking on this blood, which will be their last meal.
Nitisinone-Tyrosinemia Type 1 is treated with nitisinone.
Nitisinone is the medicine in question, and a proof-of-concept study that was conducted by a group of researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom discovered that it has the potential to be lethal to mosquitoes at minimal concentrations in human blood.
Research with Medicines
*Regulatory approval has previously been granted for the use of nitisinone in the treatment of some uncommon and hereditary disorders. For it to be effective, it inhibits the creation of a certain protein, which ultimately results in a reduction of hazardous illness byproducts in the human body. When mosquitoes consume blood containing nitisinone, however, they perish quite quickly.
* "One way to stop the spread of diseases transmitted by insects is to make the blood of animals and humans toxic to these blood-feeding insects," says microbiologist Lee R. Haines from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. "Haines is a member of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine."
Controlling insect-borne diseases
*"Our findings suggest that using nitisinone could be a promising new complementary tool for controlling insect-borne diseases like malaria."
*There is still a significant amount of proof-of-concept work to be done on the treatment, and initial results from other antiparasitic medications that can kill insects that are essential to ecosystems should be taken into consideration. Some of these drugs may not lower the number of people who have malaria.
&Nitisinone does not appear to kill other important insects that play a pollinating role in ecosystems, according to previous research. However, its wider ecological impacts have not been thoroughly studied, and there is a possibility that insecticide resistance will become a problem in the future if the medications that kill mosquitoes are incorporated into "mass drug administration programs," as the authors of the study suggest.
Mathematical models
*Several experiments were conducted by the researchers to investigate the effects of nitisinone-filled blood on mosquitoes. Additionally, mathematical models were utilized to determine the impact of various doses on simulated human populations. Based on their findings, they discovered that the medication was efficient in eliminating mosquitoes of all ages, even the older insects that are more likely to be transmitting malaria.
*Antiparasitic medications such as this one are not a novel concept, and the team compared nitisinone to ivermectin, which is already utilized as a potential weapon to eliminate mosquitoes while they are feeding.
Ivermectin medicine
*Ivermectin, when administered to humans or cows, can kill mosquitoes at lower doses than nitisinone does, but the new medicine has a more rapid action, typically within a day. Additionally, it remains in human blood for a longer period, which increases the likelihood that mosquitoes may come into contact with it throughout their lives.
*A parasitologist named Álvaro Acosta Serrano, who is affiliated with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, expressed his belief that to pursue this particular path, nitisinone needed to demonstrate superior performance compared to ivermectin. "Indeed, nitisinone performance was fantastic."
*It has a half-life in human blood that is far longer than that of ivermectin, which indicates that its mosquito-killing activity continues to circulate in the human body for a significantly longer period. This must be implemented in the field for reasons of both economic and safety concerns.
*Nitisinone, in contrast to ivermectin, does not influence the neurological system, which is one reason why it is less neurotoxic. In addition, research suggests that ivermectin is capable of eliminating various types of insects.
*Even though malaria continues to be responsible for more than half a million fatalities annually, attempts to combat the disease have come to a standstill because the disease is becoming more resistant to treatments, and larger populations are being affected by it.
*This novel strategy provides some new hope for the fight against malaria, and with additional research, it may be able to complement other efforts that are taken to restrict the spread of the disease without putting humans or other creatures in danger of injury.
*"Nitisinone is a versatile compound that can also be used as an insecticide," writes Acosta Serrano. "Nitisinone can be used to kill insects."
The research has been published in Science Translational Medicine.
The video of Gene therapy for Tyrosinemia Type 1
Tyrosinemia Type 1 is treated with nitisinone.
Tyrosinemia type I, also known as hepatorenal tyrosinemia, is an uncommon hereditary metabolic disease that mostly affects the liver and kidneys and is brought on by a lack of the enzyme fumaryl acetoacetate hydrolase (FAH).
The following describes how to use nitisinone and its side effects. Before taking the medication, a doctor's advice is recommended.
Professional guidance on nitisinone
This formulation may induce diarrhea, upset stomach, and headaches since it contains glycerol. Should these symptoms worsen, speak with your physician.
Vision issues, eye pain, redness, burning sensations, and heightened sensitivity to light are all possible side effects of nitisinone. In such situations, get medical assistance right away.
While using nitisinone, you can be prescribed tests to check your white blood cell and platelet counts on a regular basis.
Conclusion
This new approach offers some fresh hope for fighting malaria, and with further research, it could support other steps to stop the spread of the disease, without the risk of harm to humans or other wildlife.
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