Scientists Categorize the Molecule That Attract Mosquitoes Closer Towards Malaria-Tainted Blood

A team of international scientists has recently sorted out the long-established question – “What makes malaria-infected blood extra attractive to Mosquitoes.” In a recent scientific breakthrough, researchers at Stockholm University have stumbled upon the molecule that attracts mosquitoes towards the malaria-infected blood. Named as “Plasmodium falciparum,” the Malaria parasites seduce mosquitoes and drag them closer to the malaria-tainted blood.

According to the research report, published on 9th February 11, 2017, a Malaria parasite called Plasmodium falciparum produce a molecule in the blood that makes malaria-polluted blood more alluring to the mosquitoes that transmit malaria. In the online edition of journal “Science,” the scientists also have highlighted that insects, being attracted by the molecule come closer to blood and lick up this their delicious meal, resulting in the spread of the parasite to new hosts.

Another research, conducted previously has suggested that mosquitoes are likely to be preferentially haggard to malaria-tainted people. But that time, it was indistinct what the material that annoyed their interest in malaria-infected blood is. With the intention to solve this deep-rooted question, Biologist Noushin Emami of Stockholm University and his colleagues started experimenting and studying the outcome of a molecule called HMBPP on the immune system of mosquitoes belonging to the Anopheles gambiae genus – the primary transmitter of malaria.

The scientists, during their study, found that a malaria parasite called Plasmodium falciparum dispatches this molecule into the bloodstream of the patient, making it more attractive to the mosquitoes. This causes the infectivity of Malaria for person to person. The mosquito, after licking the patient’s blood attacked a healthy person, resulting in the spread of malaria infection.

According to the study, HMBPP, or (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate, don’t directly tempt the mosquitoes towards the infected blood. Once it mixed with serum, which lacks red blood cells, started lurking malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. Mosquitoes often find red blood cells to be tedious and unattractive. But red blood cells, once mixed with HMBPP started releasing more carbon dioxide and produces higher amounts of particular airborne chemicals called aldehydes and monoterpenes. The aroma of these outcomes tempted mosquitoes more and draw them closer to infected blood.