Islamabad: A recent breakthrough in research has shown that nitisinone, a drug initially developed for treating rare genetic conditions, can effectively disrupt a mosquito’s digestive system after it feeds on human blood containing the substance.
This discovery could pave the way for a new approach to controlling mosquito populations, particularly in areas affected by diseases like malaria.
According to reports from Science Alert and the University of Notre Dame, nitisinone works by blocking a critical enzyme in mosquitoes known as 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD).
Without this enzyme, mosquitoes are unable to properly digest the blood they consume, leading to their death.
What makes nitisinone especially promising is its ability to work even against insecticide-resistant mosquito strains, such as the Tiassalé variant of Anopheles gambiae, a common malaria vector.
This opens up new possibilities for vector control, particularly in regions where traditional insecticide methods have proven ineffective due to resistance.
The ability to control mosquito populations with a drug that disrupts their digestion could be a game-changer in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers hope that nitisinone will provide a more sustainable and targeted solution to current vector control methods.
