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Home , Malaria

The lifecycle of the parasite

1 Targeting vivax P. vivax is one of two forms of relapsing malaria to infect , and is the most prevalent spe- cies in Southeast and South America. It has the ability to become dormant in the TO MAN (“hypnozoite”) and can be reactivated after months or even years leading to an attack of stage malaria despite the absence of a bite. MMV is actively looking for new TRANSMISSION molecules that will provide complete of infected with dormant liver stage TO MAN vivax malaria, in addition to the blood stage – a so-called “radical cure”. LIVER Sporozoite Nucleus Hypnozoite

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TRANSMISSION TO MOSQUITO 2 GGametocytes 4 s 3 m - o Ring 4 t 8h p m Blocking y 3 transmission s Blocking the transmission of the l a parasite from to patient is key ic if malaria eradication is to be realized. n li In the blood of an infected patient a minority c of parasites form – the sexual form to of the parasite. It is these gametocytes, taken up in ing the mosquito’s blood meal, that infect the mosquito Schizont lead and thus continue the parasite’s lifecycle. MMV is Cycle working to identify compounds that will target and Targeting destroy these blood stage sexual forms (gametes) the blood stage to block transmission from man to mosquito 2 The majority of available as well as stages (ookinetes and antimalarials target the blood stage in oocysts) thereby blocking transmission the parasite lifecycle, since this leads to the from the mosquito back clinical symptoms of malaria. Current treatment to man. requires a 3-day administration once or twice daily. Ideally, a drug is needed that requires just a single oral administration, thereby improving compliance and allowing the healthcare worker to directly observe treatment. This is especially important when treatment follow-up is difficult, as is the case in many malaria- countries. MMV is currently trialing a candidate for a single-dose cure. The timings are for falciparum only © MMV 2010.07

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