Scientists Use Fungus to Kill Malaria Parasite in Mosquitoes

Between insecticide use for vector control and the use of malaria bednets, this finding is interesting in that it prompts us to think about where in the chain of disease might the risk of transmission be interrupted.

Scientists Use Fungus To Kill Malaria Parasite In Mosquitoes.
NPR (2/24, Palca) reported that some scientists are developing a new means of controlling malaria. According to NPR, rather than kill the malaria parasite-carrying mosquito, researchers have discovered a type of fungus that kills the parasite and allows the insect to live. Raymond St. Leger of the University of Maryland explained that the fungus "acts like a little hypodermic syringe, and when it's in the blood of the insect, the fungus then produces the anti-malarial protein, and within a couple of days it basically cures the mosquito of malaria."
Reuters (2/25) reports that while mosquitoes have shown an ability to adapt and develop a resistance to certain insecticides, spraying them with the fungus reduced development of the parasites dramatically. The Seattle Times /Sacramento Bee (2/25, Sangree) also covers the story.


http://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134031191/fungus-knocks-out-malaria-in-mosquitoes
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/24/us-malaria-fungus-idUSTRE71N6NX20110224
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2014308821_malaria25.html