Ivermectin Prophylaxis Reduces Malaria Infection Rates
Malaria remains a significant global health concern, with approximately 249 million cases and over 600,000 deaths reported in 2022 alone. Despite the widespread use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying, progress in reducing malaria rates has stalled, largely due to increasing insecticide resistance and the changing biting habits of Anopheles mosquitoes.
In response to this persistent challenge, researchers led by a team from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) undertook a clinical study to evaluate the potential of Ivermectin as a novel vector control strategy for malaria. Ivermectin operates by decreasing the survival rate of mosquitoes that feed on treated individuals, providing a systemic effect through the bloodstream rather than through direct contact with the insect's nervous system, which complicates the evolution of resistance in mosquitoes.
The findings of this study have been published in the prestigious journal New England Journal of Medicine. Conducted in Kwale, Kenya--a region characterized by high malaria prevalence and an 85% coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs)--the open-label, cluster-randomized, controlled trial included 84 clusters with a total of 28,932 residents. The cohort for the study consisted of 2,871 children aged 5 to 15 years.
Participants in the trial received either monthly doses of Ivermectin at 400 µg/kg body weight over a three-month period (treatment group) or 400 mg of Albendazole (control group). The primary endpoint examined was the cumulative incidence of malaria infections and the occurrence of adverse events within a six-month timeframe.
The results revealed a notable 26% reduction in malaria infection rates among the children who received Ivermectin compared to those in the control group. This significant finding underscores the potential role of Ivermectin as an effective tool in the ongoing battle against malaria, particularly in regions where traditional methods have seen diminishing returns.
As the world continues to grapple with the threats posed by malaria, innovative strategies like the prophylactic use of Ivermectin may be pivotal in revitalizing efforts to control and ultimately eliminate this deadly disease.