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Last week at MalariaWorld...about tea, a new mosquito, and PAMCA

Last week we posted a poll about the use of artemisinin tea as a prophylactic against malaria. As of today, 11 of the 7700+ subscribers have voted - all against by the way. Once again we ask you to voice your opinion. After all, there are many that argue in favour of using artemisinin tea as a prophylactic. For years it has been argued that tea is even a much better option than ACTs. So what do you think? Good or bad idea?

Kenya is hot these days, in terms of scientific developments. The reporting of a 'new' mosquito species by Dr. Jenny Stevenson and colleagues has been reported around the world. Yet, it is not clear whether indeed this is a new species or not. Refuted by Dr. Charles Mbogo, president of the Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) in a recent press communication, but nevertheless intriguing. Is this a strain that has adapted towards outdoor and crepuscular feeding because of intense indoor-based control methods (IRS and bednets)?

Interestingly, Dr. Mbogo also makes a strong case for focusing on larval control as an add-on or alternative to indoor residual spraying and bednets. Thereby going against the WHO's position statement on larval control. What do you think? We welcome your thoughts.

Enjoy this week's MalariaWorld - the MW team.

 

Comments

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on
In their paper entitled Changing Patterns of Malaria Epidemiology between 2002 and 2010 in Western Kenya: The Fall and Rise of Malaria Zhou et al concluded that there is a resurgence in parasite prevalence and malaria vector in western Kenya despite a high ownership of ITNs and attributed this to reduced efficacy of ITNs, insecticide resistance in mosquitoes and lack of proper use of ITNs. However, the study of Dr Stevenson show a significant shift of mosquito behavior which could explain the findings of Zhou group. Since this mosquito feeds before 10pm it is therefore important that a study be undertaken to find out if the this species of mosquito has can feed indoors and rest outdoors because there is nothing which stops a hungry of mosquito from entering a poorly lit houses and feeding indoors and moving out to digest

Torunn Stangeland's picture
Submitted by Torunn Stangeland on
I am in favour of using the tea, both as profylaxis and treatment. I have used it several times as profylaxis when doing fieldwork in Uganda. The tea is in the Chineese pharmacopea recommende to be used to treat malaria and fever in romote areas where other medicines are not available. Artemisia annua can be cultivated in many areas of Africa, the tea is cheep and can be readyly available also in remote areas where other medicines are difficult to get hold of. There are no known sideeffects. Resistance towards the tea has not been reported in Chine where it has been used for centuries, possibly because it contains a wide range of active compounds.

Torunn Stangeland

Bart G.J. Knols's picture
Submitted by Bart G.J. Knols on
Dear Torunn, Thank you for your comment. Please vote for its use and fill out the poll on the homepage. Thank you, Bart

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on
I've never seen this tea but I think, it could be used as prophylactic treatment as I think, it has no side effects; but, for a curative therapy, I'm afraid, because, in a context of resistance where the use of artemisia in association with other molecules is recommended, I'm not sure that the tea alone could treat malaria. I'm also wondering if the wide use of this tea in endemic areas won't contribute to the development of resistance to artemisia compounds. Edith Ilboudo-Sanogo

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on
I would like to add my voice too , because such use of ACTs inform of tea which is favorable for majority if not all will increase patient compliance to ACTs . Dr.Abdalla Ahmed Sudan

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on
Yes, use of natural herbal products like these seems like a potential stategy to protect antimalarials from escalation of drug resistance. This is rather like what we try to achieve artificially in combination therapy and it has stood the test of time. Thus it may be a strength rather than a weakness in the fight against malaria. -Sungano

Submitted by Chhaya Godse on
Yes! Use of artemisia tea, as mentioned and practiced in Chinese Medicine both for prevention an treatment is rational and worth exploring for the field application after appropriate standardization. It has been reported that besides artemisinine there are many other active compounds in artemissia anua. Some of these are individually toxic but in the mixture (at concentrations present in in the tea) will have synergistic advantage of reducing toxicity and improving activity. Several such medicines mentioned in traditional medicines have potential for new antimalarial drug. In India, Ayurveda, 4000 years old traditional medicinal system, mentions many such plant-based formulations for malaria. These are also being practiced by the Ayurvedic Physicians. Efforts are being made to explore this potential to develop Ayurveda-inspired standardized formulations through the newly emerged discipline of Reverse Pharmacology in Traditional Medicine. The long term use of these medicines, justify their safe use in patients without pre-clinical studies. Initial observational studies with specific objective markers to confirm the clinical hits are then followed through in depth experimental and clinical work to understand and further rationalized the use of these medicines. This approach in drug discovery and development is being appreciated nationally and internationally due its potential to offer a safe drug at lower cost and on a fast track.

Chhaya Godse