Many species of gut bacteria have been found to be linked to an increased risk of severe malaria, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine. The findings of the study, published in Nature Communications, highlight the urgent need for new prevention techniques to combat severe malaria and its associated mortality.
Malaria is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. The World Health Organization’s latest World Malaria Report reveals that an estimated 619,000 individuals worldwide died from malaria in 2021, with the majority of deaths occurring in children aged 5 and under.
Efforts to combat malaria have led to significant advancements in treatment and prevention, including vaccines, antimalarial drugs, insecticides, and improved healthcare processes. However, the progress made in reducing malaria-related deaths has plateaued in recent years, emphasizing the need for novel approaches.
The research conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine focused on the impact of gut bacteria on the severity of malaria. In a previous study, the researchers discovered that gut microbiota has the ability to influence the severity of malaria. Building on this breakthrough, they aimed to identify the specific microorganisms, known as Bacteroides, in the intestinal tract that play a role in malaria severity.
The latest study revealed a correlation between the presence of certain species of Bacteroides in the stomach and an elevated risk of severe malaria in both mice and children with the disease. The research primarily used mouse models of malaria, but the team expanded their observations by studying approximately 50 children with malaria in Uganda. Their next step is to continue their clinical observations with a larger group of over 500 children with malaria.
The collaborative efforts of researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine, Makerere University, and Global Health Uganda enabled the evaluation of how severe malaria may affect child neurodevelopment. By studying children from households with a history of severe malaria, they aim to identify risk factors associated with the development of the disease and variations in the microbiome.
The findings of this study point to the possibility that certain combinations of bacteria in the gut may predispose children to severe malaria. This opens up potential avenues for altering the gut microbiome to protect children from severe malaria. The team also plans to collaborate with researchers from Malawi and Mali to gain a broader understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and malaria across Africa.
In addition to these efforts, the researchers have initiated pre-clinical studies to target the gut bacteria that contribute to susceptibility to severe malaria. Their long-term aspiration is to develop a treatment that can be brought into the clinic.
The groundbreaking research conducted by Indiana University School of Medicine has shed light on the crucial role of gut bacteria in malaria severity. It provides hope for the development of innovative prevention methods and potential treatments that could make a significant difference in combating severe malaria and reducing malaria-related fatalities around the world.
