Taming the Boys for Global Good: Contraceptive Strategy to Stop Malaria Transmission

Molecules. 2020 Jun 16;25(12):2773. doi: 10.3390/molecules25122773.

Abstract

Transmission of human malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) by Anopheles mosquitoes is a continuous process that presents a formidable challenge for effective control of the disease. Infectious gametocytes continue to circulate in humans for up to four weeks after antimalarial drug treatment, permitting prolonged transmission to mosquitoes even after clinical cure. Almost all reported malaria cases are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, and therefore decreasing the rate of Plasmodium transmission from humans to mosquitoes with novel transmission-blocking remedies would be an important complement to other interventions in reducing malaria incidence.

Keywords: Plasmodium spp.; bumped kinase inhibitors; calcium-dependent protein kinase inhibitors; malaria; transmission reducing interventions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology*
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Malaria* / epidemiology
  • Malaria* / prevention & control
  • Malaria* / transmission

Substances

  • Antimalarials