Navigation Links
How bad is malaria anemia? It may depend on your genes

Cell and animal studies conducted jointly by scientists at Johns Hopkins, Yale and other institutions have uncovered at least one important contributor to the severe anemia that kills almost half of the 2 million people worldwide who die each year of malaria. The culprit is a protein cells make in response to inflammation called MIF, which appears to suppress red blood cell production in people whose red blood cells already are infected by malaria parasites.

The parasite that causes malaria - known as plasmodium - is carried through blood by mosquito bites, and in parts of the world where mosquitoes thrive, millions are infected, most of them by early childhood. Once in the bloodstream, plasmodium invades liver and red blood cells and makes more copies of itself. Eventually, as red cells break and free plasmodium to infect other cells, and as the body's immune system works to kill infected cells, the total number of red blood cells drops, causing anemia.

But not everyone infected with malaria develops severe, lethal anemia. And there are cases where patients who have been cured of infection still develop severe anemia.

This report provides the rationale for a simple, genetic test to sort out which children may be most susceptible to this lethal complication of malarial infection and to identify treatments targeted to them especially, the study's authors suggest.

"This is important because in places where malaria is endemic, drug treatment resources are scarce," says the study's primary author, Michael A. McDevitt, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of medicine and hematology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

"There are many difficulties with blood transfusion safety and access in Africa, especially in rural areas where most of the malaria-related deaths occur," says McDevitt. "That led us to search for a better way to identify those most at risk and a better way to treat the disease," he says.

The study,
'"/>

Source:Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Scientists reveal molecular secrets of the malaria parasite
2. Simple drug has the potential to save many lives threatened by malaria
3. Molecular models advance the fight against malaria
4. Reducing malarial transmission in Africa
5. Sickle cell and protection against malaria
6. Chemists synthesize molecule that helps body battle cancers, malaria
7. Gene expands malarias invasion options
8. University of Nevada, Reno research team discovers hormone that causes malaria mosquito to urinate
9. Measuring hidden parasites in falciparum malaria
10. Old drug, new tricks: Prospects for slashing the impact of malaria
11. Researchers discover how malaria parasite disperses from red blood cells
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: How bad malaria anemia may depend your genes

(Date:12/11/2009)... children understand that green plants photosynthesize, absorb carbon ... profound global-scale effects that photosynthesis has had on ... the origins and evolution of photosynthesis is Jeffrey ... of Life Sciences. , Oxygen, one of the ... and their descendants (including algae and higher plants), ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... This release is available in French . ... have discovered a novel molecular mechanism that prevents cancer. ... Molecular Cell , scientists from the Universit de ... found that the SOCS1 molecule prevents the cancer-causing activity ... inflammation diseases such as Crohns, in smokers and people ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... a moderate amount of weight by eating less and ... at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. ... the Dec. 15, 2009, issue of the Journal ... weight loss led to improvement in four key measures ... the study participants included decreased thickness of heart muscle, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):'Extreme' genes shed light on origins of photosynthesis 2'Extreme' genes shed light on origins of photosynthesis 3Scientists identify natural anti-cancer defenses 2Moderate weight loss in obese people improves heart function 2Moderate weight loss in obese people improves heart function 3Wireless Phones Alter Levels of Brain Chemical 61268 1Wireless Phones Alter Levels of Brain Chemical 61268 2Research reveals lipids unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells 10713 1Research reveals lipids unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells 10713 2Research reveals lipids unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells 10713 3Research reveals lipids unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells 10713 4More pain means real gain in complex regional pain syndrome treatment 10710 1More pain means real gain in complex regional pain syndrome treatment 10710 2
... DNA into the space of a typical chromosome, a ... material it contains. , "It is like compacting your ... Emeritus in Physics at the University of Chicago. , ... showing that these and related organisms may have evolved ...
... the Tahitian vanilla orchid, whose cured fruit is the source ... has long eluded botanists. Known by the scientific name ... in cultivation; natural, wild populations of the orchid have never ... led by Pesach Lubinsky, a postdoctoral researcher with Norman ...
... (August 21, 2008) The leading figures ... most exciting breakthroughs in this revolutionary field of research ... annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference, October 14-15 at ... focus on the dramatic advancements researchers are making in ...
Other Biology News:Exploding chromosomes fuel research about evolution of genetic storage 2Exploding chromosomes fuel research about evolution of genetic storage 3Tahitian vanilla originated in Maya forests, says UC Riverside botanist 2Tahitian vanilla originated in Maya forests, says UC Riverside botanist 3New York Stem Cell Foundation announces third annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference 2New York Stem Cell Foundation announces third annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference 3
(Date:12/14/2009)... Dyadic International, Inc. (Pink Sheets: DYAI) ... collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute ("Scripps") by ... the genome of Dyadic,s patented and proprietary C1 ... of the successful relationship between the two organizations ... Scripps to annotate the C1 genome for the ...
(Date:12/14/2009)... 14 Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR ... appointed to serve on its board of directors. ... with over 35 years of experience in corporate ... to Nektar extensive industry perspective at an important ... Robin, President and CEO of Nektar and member ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... -- Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN ) announced ... public offering have exercised in full their option ... stock at the public offering price of $24.75 ... increases the size of the offering to an ... Dendreon expects to receive net proceeds from the ...
(Date:12/11/2009)... OSLO, December 11 Algeta ASA ... the first clinical center in the,US, the ... randomizing patients,in the phase III clinical study ... as hormone-refractory) prostate cancer,(CRPC) that has metastasized ... The ALSYMPCA (ALpharadin in SYMptomatic Prostate ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Dyadic International Extends Collaboration With The Scripps Research Institute 2Dyadic International Extends Collaboration With The Scripps Research Institute 3Dyadic International Extends Collaboration With The Scripps Research Institute 4Dyadic International Extends Collaboration With The Scripps Research Institute 5Dennis Winger Joins Nektar Therapeutics' Board of Directors 2Dennis Winger Joins Nektar Therapeutics' Board of Directors 3Dendreon Announces Exercise of Option by Underwriters in its Common Stock Offering 2Dendreon Announces Exercise of Option by Underwriters in its Common Stock Offering 3Algeta Announces First US Patient Randomized in ALSYMPCA Phase III Study at Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans 2Algeta Announces First US Patient Randomized in ALSYMPCA Phase III Study at Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans 3Algeta Announces First US Patient Randomized in ALSYMPCA Phase III Study at Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans 4
... and memory functions of future electronic devices could shrink dramatically ... instead of the many tens of nanometers that characterize today,s ... to control domain walls, the ultrathin transition zones that separate ... properties. , In a material called bismuth ferrite, ...
... Show,s History Draws Participants From A Broad Range of ... The 2009 edition of InformexUSA officially opened its exhibition ... par, with show traffic in 2008. The week long ... innovative chemistry in North America, is featuring an expanded ...
... DONG YING Q3 RESULTS REPORTED DECEMBER 10, 2008 ... (OTC Bulletin Board: SNBP) is pleased to report financial ... wholly owned operating subsidiary, Dong Ying China, that have ... period ended November 30, 2008. The complete unaudited financial ...
Other Biology Technology:Domain walls that conduct electricity 2Domain walls that conduct electricity 3Domain walls that conduct electricity 4Domain walls that conduct electricity 5InformexUSA 2009 Opens to Strong Attendance 2InformexUSA 2009 Opens to Strong Attendance 3InformexUSA 2009 Opens to Strong Attendance 4Sinobiopharma Reports Financial Highlights for Six-Month Period Ending November 30, 2008 2Sinobiopharma Reports Financial Highlights for Six-Month Period Ending November 30, 2008 3
Src cDNA Expression Kit (wild type)...
Homogenizing Solution, 18ml Proteinase K - [50ug/l] 75 l...
Lipofectin Reagent is the reagent of choice for some cell lines; cells of endothelial derivation transfect well with Lipofectin Reagent....
Request Info...
Biology Products: