The Anti-Malaria Drug that Promises a Cure: Trick or Treatment?
Malaria remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in humans, with the estimated number of cases globally reaching 216 million and the estimated number of deaths to be 655 000 in 2010 (1). Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus that are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Of the five species of parasites that infect humans, P. falciparum is the most pathogenic and is responsible for up to 90% of deaths caused by Malaria. The parasite invades and destroys red blood cells, the severity of the disease and parasite infecting can result in a large range of symptoms. Increases in reported cases of P. falciparum drug resistance against the current treatments have presented a major global health concern moreover, improved treatments and an effective cure is needed for eradication of malaria.
An article published in August 2012 by the Australian Popular Science(2) website website reported that scientists from South Africa’s University of Cape Town have discovered a potential “one-size-fits-all” drug, effective against all strains, that has demonstrated antimalarial activities in animal models that may potentially lead to a single-dose cure for malaria.This review examines the primary sources of the scientific literature to critically evaluate if this can indeed be considered a medical breakthrough. This analysis will:
· Report briefly on the history of previous malaria treatments and discuss the significant research that lead to the potential breakthrough.
· Present information about the stages of Plasmodium lifecycle and discuss the complexities regarding the life-cycle with relation to drug targets.
· Investigate the biochemical aspects of the drug to investigate if the research can actually to be considered a ‘medical breakthrough’ and attempt to come to a conclusion about the claims - that this new compound could lead to a cure in of all strains of malaria by the administration of a single dose.
An article published in August 2012 by the Australian Popular Science(2) website website reported that scientists from South Africa’s University of Cape Town have discovered a potential “one-size-fits-all” drug, effective against all strains, that has demonstrated antimalarial activities in animal models that may potentially lead to a single-dose cure for malaria.This review examines the primary sources of the scientific literature to critically evaluate if this can indeed be considered a medical breakthrough. This analysis will:
· Report briefly on the history of previous malaria treatments and discuss the significant research that lead to the potential breakthrough.
· Present information about the stages of Plasmodium lifecycle and discuss the complexities regarding the life-cycle with relation to drug targets.
· Investigate the biochemical aspects of the drug to investigate if the research can actually to be considered a ‘medical breakthrough’ and attempt to come to a conclusion about the claims - that this new compound could lead to a cure in of all strains of malaria by the administration of a single dose.
1.World Malaria Report, 2010; World Health Organization:Geneva, 2011
2. http://www.popsci.com.au/science/south-african-scientists-claim-breakthrough-drug-cures-all-strains-of-malaria