Revolutionary Advances Against Malaria: Genetically Engineered "Anti-Malaria Mosquitoes" and Ivermectin for Prevention
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Malaria continues to be one of the world's deadliest diseases, with 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths reported in 2023, where 80% of the victims are children. Mosquitoes, the animals that kill more people each year than any other, are the main vectors of this disease. However, science has made significant strides with two promising approaches that could change the course of this fight.
Scientists from the University of California San Diego, Johns Hopkins University, and other institutions have developed an innovative method that genetically blocks mosquitoes from transmitting malaria. Published in Nature in July 2025, this breakthrough uses CRISPR technology to make a minuscule but dramatic change.
The CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system replaces a single amino acid (L224 with Q224) in a key protein called FREP1 in the mosquito's genome. This change prevents malaria parasites from reaching the insect's salivary glands, thereby halting transmission. Although genetically modified mosquitoes can still bite infected people and acquire parasites, they can no longer spread the disease to other individuals. The Q224 variant is a naturally occurring allele, and the system is designed to spread this beneficial trait throughout mosquito populations, similar to an "allelic drive". Crucially, this change does not affect the mosquito's normal growth or reproduction. This approach leverages a naturally occurring mosquito gene allele, turning it into a powerful shield that blocks multiple malaria parasite species.
In parallel, a large-scale study known as the BOHEMIA trial has shown that the mass administration of ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, can reduce the incidence of malaria by 26%. This approach is surprising: the pill makes human blood deadly to mosquitoes that bite those who have taken it, killing them after the bite.
The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted in Kenya and Mozambique. Although ivermectin is commonly used to treat diseases like onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), it has proven to be safe and widely available for this new use. In Kenya's Kwale County, administering a monthly dose for three months to children aged 5 to 15 resulted in a significant reduction in malaria infection rates. The results align with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria for new vector control tools, which require at least a 20% reduction in incidence lasting for at least one month after treatment. Additionally, ivermectin offered collateral benefits, such as the reduction of lice, scabies, and bed bugs in communities.
Both strategies are crucial, as traditional mosquito control tools, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, are losing effectiveness due to mosquito resistance to insecticides and changes in their biting behavior. These advances represent a significant step against Malaria, offering complementary and effective tools to protect the most vulnerable populations. While the Mozambique trial faced disruptions from Cyclone Gombe and a cholera outbreak, highlighting the importance of strong community engagement, the overall findings support ivermectin's potential to shape the future of malaria prevention, especially in endemic areas where existing tools are failing.
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