Scientists have discovered a microbe, Microsporidia MB, that completely protects mosquitoes from being infected with malaria. The microbe was found in the gut and genitals of mosquitoes on the shores of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Lab experiments confirmed that Microsporidia gave the mosquitoes protection and suggested 100% blockage of the malaria parasite. However, it is yet not clear how the microbe stops the disease.
Researchers are now investigating two methods to increase the number of mosquitoes carrying Microsporidia: the release en masse of the microbe’s spores, and the release of male mosquitoes infected in the lab with Microsporidia to pass on the microbe to females when they mate.
Read more about the research at BBC and access the full study at Nature Communications.
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