Malaria is a parasitic disease
Symptoms of malaria include high fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia. It is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human being to another by the bite of an infected mosquito. These parasites multiply in the red blood cells of our body that break down within 48 to 72 hours, infecting even more red blood cells. The first symptoms usually appear 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although in some cases they can take up to a year to manifest after infection.
Cerebral malaria occurs when blood cells filled with parasites block the small blood vessels leading to the brain. This can create inflammation of your brain or brain damage. Symptoms of cerebral malaria include seizures or, in some cases, coma. About 20% of those with this disease die, while another 20% suffer from permanent brain damage.
Malaria statistics
In 2008, the disease caused almost a million deaths, mainly among African children. In the country, the disease represents 20% of all infant deaths. It is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, but it is also a problem in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
Malaria can cause a significant economic burden in countries with a high prevalence of the disease. For these countries, the gross domestic product (GDP) can decrease by up to 1.3%. It disproportionately affects poor people who cannot afford treatment or have limited access to health care.
Nitric oxide treatment
The big problem with cerebral malaria is determining the 2% of people susceptible to the disease and figuring out how to treat it. A study led by Dr. Kevin Kain may have the answer to both problems. People with cerebral malaria tend to have lower levels of nitric oxide (NO) than normal.
In a study by Dr. Kain and his fellow researchers, mice affected by cerebral malaria were divided into two groups: one group was given the standard drugs to treat malaria, while the other was given the drug. and nitric oxide. The mice that received the nitric oxide treatment showed a better survival rate.
Dr. Kain believes that increased levels of NO can prevent the release of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a blood protein that stimulates the rupture of blood vessels and puts the patient at risk for severe malaria and mortal. This would protect the blood vessels in the brain, lessening the effects of malaria. Ang-2 also presents a possible key to the detection of people with cerebral malaria. A simple blood test will reveal elevated levels of Ang-2 in the body, and then aggressive nitric oxide treatment can be carried out.
The study
Although this is not the first time the role of NO in the treatment of malaria has been investigated, Kain’s study may be the closest nitric oxide to practical application. Their current study will provide antimalarial drugs to 180 children between the ages of one and 10 to treat the infection. 90 of those children will also be given inhaled nitric oxide. The hope is that nitric oxide will provide humans with the same survivability that it provided mice. If your study is successful, nitric oxide may be available as a cost-effective malaria treatment!