Malaria
Malaria, a potentially lethal illness, is transmitted to humans by specific mosquito species and is primarily prevalent in tropical areas. Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria is caused by a parasite and cannot be spread from person to person. Our company is fully prepared to meet your needs for malaria therapy and vaccine development.
Introduction to Malaria
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Five Plasmodium species can infect humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most common and dangerous. In 2022, there were around 249 million malaria cases worldwide. The mortality rate for malaria is roughly 0.26%.
Pathogenesis of Malaria
The pathogenesis of malaria involves the complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites, with six species infecting humans, including Plasmodium falciparum. These parasites undergo multiple morphological states and replicate extensively within the human host. Clinical symptoms such as fever, anemia, and coma result from the interaction between the parasite's biology and the human immune response. The immune response, genetic diversity of the parasite, coinfections, and delays in treatment all influence the severity of the disease.
Fig. 1 A model of the interactions between Plasmodium parasites. (Milner D. A., Jr., 2018)Diagnosis Development of Malaria
Immunochromatographic Strip Tests
This is the most commonly used RDT method, where antibodies on the test strip capture malaria antigens present in the patient's blood. The frequently detected antigens include histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) and lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH).
Antigen Capture Methods
This method uses antibodies to capture specific malaria antigens and is typically used to distinguish between P. falciparum and P. vivax. It has high sensitivity and specificity but may have limited sensitivity in cases of low parasitemia.
Rapid Tests Combining Nucleic Acid Detection
Although not traditional RDTs, these methods combine rapid testing with nucleic acid amplification techniques like PCR, significantly improving sensitivity and accuracy, especially in cases of low parasite load.
Vaccine Development of Malaria
The vaccine comprises a genetically fused portion of the CSP repeat domain and the C-terminal region, presented as a hepatitis B virus-like particle. The binding of antibodies to CSP immobilizes the sporozoites, preventing their infection of hepatocytes, which is a crucial stage in malaria infection.
Despite the initial success, RTS,S has limitations. It does not provide long-lasting immunity, and its efficacy diminishes over time. Additionally, vaccinated individuals can still transmit the parasite to mosquitoes, perpetuating the disease cycle.
Fig. 2 Impact of RTS,S vaccine on malaria infection and transmission. (Zavala, F., 2022)
Our Services
Our company adopts a collaborative approach, partnering closely with clients to create tailored and innovative therapy strategies for Cryptococcosis. We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire development process, ensuring effective and customized solutions.
Platforms of Malaria Therapy Development
Animal Models for drug discovery in malaria
We have extensive experience in creating and utilizing animal models that faithfully mimic the disease traits and therapeutic reactions of Cryptococcosis. These models enable us to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of prospective treatments with precision.
| Mouse | Humanized Mouse | Non-Human Primates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium Species | P. berghei, P. yoelii, P. chabaudi, P. vinckei | P. falciparum | P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi, and infectious for Old World and New World monkeys (P. cynomolgi) |
| Parasite Cycle Stage | Full cycle, no surrogate for hypnozoite stage | Erythrocyte stage, liver stage, gametocyte | Full cycle, P. cynomolgi hypnozoite stage |
| Host Immunity | Immunodeficient | Immunodeficient | Immunocompetent |
| Accessibility | +++++ | +++ | Highly restricted |
| Complexity | + | +++ | +++++ |
| Cost | ++ | +++ | +++++ |
In addition, we offer a range of comprehensive animal model services that concentrate on specific signaling pathways and molecular targets.
If you are interested in our services, please contact us as soon as possible for more information.
References
- Milner D. A., Jr. "Malaria Pathogenesis. " Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, (2018). 8(1), a025569.
- Zavala, F., "RTS,S: the first malaria vaccine." J Clin Invest, (2022). 132(1).
- Garrido-Cardenas, J.A., et al., "Plasmodium genomics: an approach for learning about and ending human malaria." Parasitol Res, (2019). 118(1): p. 1-27.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.