Young blood cells help malaria parasites evade drugs: RGCB study
Thiruvananthapuram, June 17
Scientists at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology here have identified a new mechanism that allows malaria parasites to withstand artemisinin, the world's most widely used anti-malarial drug.
The breakthrough study, published as an Editor's Choice article in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, reveals that young red blood cells, known as reticulocytes, can create a protective environment that allows malaria parasites to survive drug-induced stress.
The research, led by Christeen Davis and colleagues at BRIC-RGCB, challenges the long-held understanding that artemisinin resistance is driven mainly by genetic changes within the parasite.
Instead, the study shows that the condition of the host cell infected by the parasite can significantly influence the success of treatment.
The study was carried out by scientists from BRIC-RGCB, an institution under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), in collaboration with researchers from IISER Thiruvananthapuram, Cosmopolitan Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, and CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune.
"The biology of the host cell can significantly influence how malaria parasites respond to treatment. The parasite is not acting alone; it exploits the natural antioxidant defences present in young blood cells to protect itself from drug-induced stress," said Dr Rajesh Chandramohanadas, senior author of the study and Principal Investigator at RGCB.
The findings could help explain why some malaria patients experience delayed parasite clearance or persistent infection despite receiving standard treatment, even without known genetic markers of drug resistance.
BRIC-RGCB Director Dr Beena Pillai said the discovery highlights the importance of understanding host-parasite interactions in improving malaria treatment strategies.
The researchers believe future therapies could target not only the parasite but also the cellular environment that enables its survival.
The study may open new approaches to improving the effectiveness of existing anti-malarial drugs, particularly among children, anaemic patients, and individuals recovering from blood loss or infections, who often have increased reticulocyte levels.
With malaria continuing to affect millions globally, the discovery provides a new perspective on why some infections persist and how treatment outcomes may be improved.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Excellent work by Indian scientists! This challenges the Western-centric view that drug resistance is always genetic. It's encouraging to see host-parasite interactions being studied in depth. However, I wonder how this will affect current ACT (artemisinin combination therapy) protocols in India. Will we need to adjust dosages for patients with high reticulocyte counts? Also, the government must ensure that this research leads to affordable solutions, not just expensive new drugs that poor patients can't access. Good science must translate to equitable healthcare.
As a resident of a malaria-endemic region in Odisha, this is personal. We've seen cases where standard treatment doesn't work even without resistance markers. This study finally gives us an answer. The collaboration between RGCB, IISER, and NCL Pune shows the strength of Indian research when institutions work together. I hope this leads to better screening for reticulocyte levels before prescribing artemisinin. The emphasis on host factors rather than just the parasite is a paradigm shift. Kudos to Dr Rajesh Chandramohanadas and team! 🇮🇳
Impressive study from RGCB! The insight that young red blood cells provide a sanctuary for the parasite is a game-changer for understanding artemisinin resistance. I'm curious about the clinical applications - could we consider therapies that reduce reticulocyte turnover or boost drug efficacy in these cells? As a healthcare researcher, I think this opens up new avenues for combination therapies that target both the parasite and its protective niche. This is the kind of collaborative science that truly advances global health.
While this discovery is promising, I'm cautious about the timeline for practical implementation. How many years will it take for this to translate into policy changes in India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme? We've seen many promising studies that never led to changed clinical guidelines. The real test will be whether this research influences WHO's treatment protocols, which heavily dictate drug procurement
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