Coating Kills Malaria Parasite

Mar-04-19 Medicated nets that kill the malaria parasite could help prevent the spread of the disease.

One of the disadvantages of controlling malaria by killing mosquitoes is the danger of disrupting the ecosystem. As an alternative, a team from Harvard is studying the effects of the chemical Atovaquone—already used to treat malaria—when applied as a coating to a surface. The researchers discovered that six minutes of contact with the surface was enough to kill all the malaria parasites in the test mosquitos, without harming the insect itself.

The chemical could be applied to existing mosquito nets, to help eradicate the parasite and reduce the spread of disease.

More Info about this Invention:

[NEWATLAS.COM]
[HSPH.HARVARD.EDU]

---