On June 15, FDA revoked the emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine that was issued on March 27. The FDA said it is no longer reasonable to believe that the drugs may be effective in treating COVID-19 nor the potential benefits outweigh potential risks. On June 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revoked … Continue reading FDA revokes emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine
malaria
Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
Given the circumstances, it would be difficult to believe that the decision to lift the restriction was taken independent of U.S. pressure. But the pandemic has seen several countries displaying solidarity and cooperation providing essential supplies to others even while tackling the novel coronavirus in their own backyards. After imposing a blanket ban on the … Continue reading Coronavirus: Lifting the drug export ban is correct though done under pressure
Hydroxychloroquine study: Publisher expresses ‘concerns’ about the paper
The journal that published a paper claiming that hydroxychloroquine had “significant” success in treating COVID-19 patients now has an expression of “concerns” published by its publisher. On March 23, ICMR approved the use of drug as a prophylaxis by healthcare workers and those caring for COVID-19 patients. Aabout 10 days after the Indian Council of … Continue reading Hydroxychloroquine study: Publisher expresses ‘concerns’ about the paper
Combination therapy using malaria drug quickly clears TB
IISc researchers have discovered the mechanism by which TB bacteria develop tolerance to TB drugs. They found a combination of malaria and TB drug can prevent the bacteria from developing drug tolerance. The drug combination cleared TB bacteria from mice lungs in eight weeks. Researchers from Bengaluru have made an important discovery of the mechanism … Continue reading Combination therapy using malaria drug quickly clears TB
University of Hyderabad’s inhibitor increases effectiveness of malaria drugs
A small inhibitor identified by researchers from the University of Hyderabad can block an enzyme (Rad51) that plays a crucial role in repairing DNA damage in malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum. The inhibitor, when used along with anti-malaria drugs such as artemisinin, drastically increases the drug's effectiveness in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria. A small inhibitor that blocks … Continue reading University of Hyderabad’s inhibitor increases effectiveness of malaria drugs
Malarial drug effective for Zika virus treatment, IIT Mandi finds
IIT Mandi team has found that the FDA-approved drug for malaria (hydroxychloroquine or HCQ) binds to the protease enzyme of the Zika virus and stops the virus from replicating and surviving. When tested on placental cells infected with Zika virus, the malarial drug significantly reduced the viral load. Since the drug is approved for use … Continue reading Malarial drug effective for Zika virus treatment, IIT Mandi finds
Tata Trusts to fund innovations, technologies to combat TB and malaria
For the first time an Indian philanthropic organisation will be funding science to combat infectious diseases. The India Health Fund (IHF), an initiative by Tata Trusts, in collaboration with the Global Fund will financially support innovations and technologies designed to combat tuberculosis and malaria. At a time when funding for science by the Indian government … Continue reading Tata Trusts to fund innovations, technologies to combat TB and malaria
Delhi researchers’ novel molecule prevents malaria disease
A team led by researchers from JNU and ICGEB, New Delhi has identified a molecule that prevents malaria parasites from invading red blood cells (RBCs) and causing the disease. It prevents the interaction between parasites and receptors found on RBCs thereby preventing the parasites from invading the RBCs. Since the molecule targets the receptors found on RBCs, it … Continue reading Delhi researchers’ novel molecule prevents malaria disease
Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
Dr. Manu Prakash is once again at his best — solving complex problems in an extraordinarily simple fashion. Using wingbeat sound, location and time of recording, Dr. Prakash and his team from Standford University hope to make real-time global maps of mosquito distributions, which could help design better strategies to control mosquitoes and combat mosquito-borne diseases. … Continue reading Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
Effects of using hydroxychloroquine in pregnant women over a long term remains to be assessed. Commonly used malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can effectively block Zika virus from crossing the placenta and getting into the foetus and damaging its brain, say researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US. The drug already has approval … Continue reading Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
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