Antiparasitic drug makes the blood toxic to human malarial mosquitoes

Ivermectin belongs to the avermectin family, antimalarial, for which this year's Chinese Tu Yu won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. However, even its recognized ability to help in the fight against malaria, seem to have been underestimated. Recent studies show that massive use of ivermectin population significantly reduces the number of mosquitoes - malaria vectors.
Generally ivermectin has a fairly broad antiparasitic activity, it is used in the fight against lice, nematodes, mites, and is known for its insecticidal activity. That is, according to the American entomologist Bryan Foy (Brian Foy) and his colleagues, making ivermectin potential weapons of mass destruction in the fight against malaria. "For a person in reasonable doses, it is safe enough. Therefore, if we "vaccinate" ivermectin majority of the population, some mosquitoes bite people die immediately, while others will be weakened and unable to survive - about the researchers reasoned. - Tooth for a tooth! "
Indeed, in the laboratory, where scientists are allowed to drink plenty komariha blood containing the drug in different concentrations were obtained very encouraging results. Since then, Brian Foy and his team decided to move to field trials. Teaming up with colleagues from Burkina Faso, they conducted experiments in several villages in the south-west of the country. The population of "vaccinated" with ivermectin in combination with anthelminthics (albendazole) - a standard local "cocktail" for protection against tropical parasites are common, which is recommended for use twice a year. However, taking ivermectin continued every three weeks, almost without exception (except for pregnant women and young children).
The brave experiment started only in June 2015 and is still ongoing. But its first results, according to Brian Foy, inspire great optimism. Speaking recently at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the scientist reported that it was in the past six months, the incidence in the four experimental villages has decreased in comparison with its neighbors, where no additional intake of ivermectin is not appointed. During this period, it recorded 94 cases of malaria is less than might be expected.