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An antiseptic used in some brands of toothpaste, mouthwash and
soap may be an effective anti-malarial agent. In the first
study to show malaria-fighting effects of the chemical, called triclosan,
the investigators found that mice injected with the compound were
cleared of malaria infections.
Malaria, estimated to afflict nearly 400
million people worldwide, is caused by parasites transmitted
through the bite of a mosquito. Symptoms can include jaundice, kidney
failure, high fever and severe anemia.
The new findings suggest triclosan injections or tablets may offer
an alternative to existing treatments, but other research will need
to confirm its safety in humans. Triclosan works by blocking
the parasite's production of fatty acids, which are essential for
parasite growth and development.
The mechanism that parasites use to produce fatty acids is the
same as that in some plants and bacteria, but different to the way
human cells produce them. Therefore, it is possible to specifically
interfere with the parasite's machinery without affecting human
cells.
There are no human studies using triclosan for malaria. Triclosan
or related drugs might be useful as an additional weapon in our
fight against malaria.
Nature Medicine 2001;7:149-150,
167-173
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