BRIC-RGCB researchers discover new mechanism of malaria parasite drug resistance

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers at the BRIC-RGCB here have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which malaria parasites evade the effects of artemisinin, the world’s most widely used antimalarial drug.

The findings were published as an Editor’s Choice article in The Journal of Infectious Diseases by Christeen Davis and colleagues. According to the study, young red blood cells known as reticulocytes create a protective biochemical environment. This environment helps malaria parasites withstand drug-induced stress caused by artemisinin treatment.

Artemisinin is currently the most widely used antimalarial drug globally. The discovery of this new evasion mechanism adds to understanding of how malaria parasites develop resistance to treatment.