Researchers have stumbled upon a naturally occurring strain of bacteria that has the potential to halt the transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans. This chance discovery emerged when a group of mosquitoes failed to develop the malaria parasite during an experiment. The bacteria, if proven effective and safe through ongoing real-world trials, could offer a new avenue for combating malaria, a longstanding global health challenge claiming around 600,000 lives annually. Scientists at a Spanish research facility, under GSK pharmaceutical company’s auspices, observed a decline in infection rates among mosquitoes over time, leading them to investigate further. Frozen samples from their initial experiment in 2014 were revisited two years later to delve into the underlying mechanisms.
A naturally occurring bacteria strain, TC1, has been identified as a potent inhibitor of malaria parasite development within mosquitoes. This bacteria has the ability to persist throughout a mosquito’s entire lifespan once it colonizes the insect’s gut. Researchers have found that TC1 significantly reduces malaria transmission by secreting a molecule called harmane, which impedes the early stages of parasite growth in the mosquito’s digestive system. The results, published in Science magazine, indicate that the bacteria can lower the mosquito’s parasite load by up to 73%. Collaborating with Johns Hopkins University, scientists from GSK have further determined that harmane can be administered either orally when mixed with sugar, or absorbed through the mosquito’s cuticle upon contact. This discovery opens up the potential for treating resting areas with the active compound, offering a novel approach to curbing malaria transmission.