The National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), New Delhi, is one of the research institution of Indian Council of Medical Research under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, established in 1977 as Malaria Research Centre, which was renamed as National Institute of Malaria Research in November 2005.The primary task of the Institute is to find short term as well as long-term solutions to the problems of malaria through basic, applied and operational field research. The Institute also plays a key role in manpower resource development through trainings/workshops and transfer of technology. The major areas of research carried out over the years are on mosquito fauna surveys, development of genetic and molecular markers for important malaria vectors and parasites, cytotaxonomic studies identifying major vectors as species complexes and laboratory and field studies to examine the biological variations among sibling species, development of molecular identification techniques for sibling species, monitoring of insecticide resistance through space and time, preparation of action plans, etc. have yielded valuable information. Field evaluation of new insecticides, biolarvicides, insecticide-impregnated bed nets, drugs and parasite diagnostic kits have provided new armament to malaria control. Many of these have found place in national malaria control programme.NIMR has a network of well developed laboratories at Delhi carrying out research on all aspects of malaria along with 10 field laboratories in malarious areas, which serve as testing ground for new technologies and help in the transfer of technologies..
Malaria elimination remains a global public health priority, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. India has set a target of eliminating malaria by 2030, making it essential to understand gaps in healthcare access, utilization, and preventive practices in endemic areas to guide focused interventions to achieve national and global malaria elimination targets. A subnational, cross-sectional study surveying 37,849 households in ten malaria-endemic states in India, which covered 177,644 individuals, was carried out to estimate the health service and long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) utilization for febrile illness and malaria. The study found that the accessibility of a government healthcare facility was within 2.5 km (interquartile range [IQR] 1–5 km), with 57.4
Inappropriate antibiotic use in broiler farming drives antibiotic resistance and residues in poultry, raising significant public health concerns that require safe and effective alternatives. This study investigated the effects of Limnospira platensis polysaccharide and biomass supplementation in drinking water, compared to a tylosin-trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (TTS) antibiotic on broiler growth, biochemical profiles, cecal microbiota, and organ histomorphology. For 42-days, 360 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six treatment groups, each with six replicates of ten chicks. Treatments included a control group (CON) with unsupplemented drinking water; an antibiotic group (ATB) supplemented with 1 g L−1 tylosin-trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (TTS) antibiotic; two L. platensis polysaccharide groups (SPS1 and SPS2) receiving 0.5 g L−1 and 1 g L−1; and two L. platensis dry biomass groups (SPO1 and SPO2) receiving 2.5 g L−1 and 5 g L−1. The results indicated that supplementing drinking water with 5 g L−1 L. platensis dry biomass (SPO2) significantly improved body weight, feed intake, and the European broiler index compared to the control, antibiotic, and other L. platensis treatments (p < 0.05). This treatment also significantly lowered serum creatinine, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and AST activity. L. platensis and antibiotic treatments significantly reduced cecal coliform, enterobacteria, and staphylococci populations. Limnospira platensis dry biomass and polysaccharide supplementation preserved liver and spleen structure and significantly increased economic efficiency, outperforming control and antibiotic groups (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 5 g L−1 L. platensis dry biomass in drinking water represents a promising and effective alternative to antibiotics for improving broiler chicken growth performance, health, and economic efficiency.
Background:Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe, inherited hemoglobin disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis, vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), and systemic inflammation. Hydroxyurea is the standard conventional pharmacotherapy for SCD, but it has certain limitations, necessitating the need to explore other safe and effective treatment options for SCD. Ayurveda interventions offer a potential therapeutic approach complementary to conventional medicine for SCD management, with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hematopoietic properties. Objective:This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of an Ayurvedic therapeutic regimen as an adjunct to hydroxyurea in SCD management, assessing its impact on hematological parameters, inflammatory biomarkers, VOC frequency, and overall quality of life. Methods:A PROBE (Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label, Blinded End Point) study will be conducted on individuals of any gender aged 18 years or older and diagnosed with SCD (with hemoglobin S levels more than 60% and a history of at least 1 VOC per year over the past 3 y). Individuals with acute VOC or any severe infection requiring hospitalization, a history of significant comorbidities, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will not be considered. The study will be conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India. A total of 100 participants will undergo random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to receive either an Ayurveda regimen (Dadimadi Ghrita, Punarnavadi Mandura, and Vasaguduchyadi Kwatha) as an add-on to hydroxyurea or hydroxyurea alone for 8 months. The primary outcome will be a change in hemoglobin electrophoresis parameters (hemoglobin S, fetal hemoglobin, and adult hemoglobin) and the frequency of VOC episodes over 8 months. The secondary outcome measures include changes in the levels of proinflammatory markers (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, C-reactive protein, and transforming growth factor-β) and lactate dehydrogenase, frequency of hospitalization for VOCs and blood transfusions, and health-related quality of life (Short Form-8 Health Survey questionnaire). Safety will be evaluated by recording the incidence of adverse events and changes in liver and kidney function tests from baseline. Results:The recruitment of study participants was initiated on November 1, 2023. By the second week of February 2025, 83 participants had been enrolled in the study. The final study is expected to be complete by December 31, 2025. We will start the analysis of the study outcomes in February 2026, and the publication of the final results is expected by August 2026. Conclusions:This randomized controlled trial protocol outlines a rigorous study design aimed to explore the potential benefits of an integrated therapeutic regimen comprising Ayurveda interventions and standard conventional care in the long-term management of SCD through validated clinical and laboratory parameters. The outcomes of this study can address the needs and challenges associated with SCD management and inform future management protocols.
Malaria remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in urban settings experiencing rapid vector adaptation. India, contributing significantly to South-East Asia’s malaria burden, faces persistent urban transmission. While previous studies have explored local determinants of vector-borne diseases, large-scale analyses examining the interplay of socioeconomic factors, water availability, storage practices, and disease prevention behaviors remain limited. We conducted a socioeconomic and health survey in the cities of Ahmedabad and Surat, India, between September and November 2023. Data were collected from 4,074 households, comprising 15,484 individuals, and we examined associations between socioeconomic indicators, water availability, storage practices, and mosquito-borne disease incidence and prevention behaviors. Logistic regressions were used to identify significant predictors. We find that self-reported disease prevalence was low, with 77 cases of malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, equivalent to 18.90 cases per 1,000 households. Socioeconomic factors such as wealth, caste, and family size were significantly associated with disease reporting and prevention practices. Households in the richest wealth quintile were more likely to adopt prevention measures, but less likely to perceive mosquito-related risks. Water management practices, particularly storage in clean large containers, were associated with increased disease symptoms and prevention measures, highlighting the complexity of vector control. Households with impermeable storage containers reported reduced use of active prevention measures. Socioeconomic disparities and water management practices significantly influence malaria incidence and prevention behaviors. Targeted interventions prioritizing disadvantaged households, improved water storage practices, and enhanced investments in preventive care are essential to reduce vector-borne disease vulnerability and accelerate India’s malaria elimination goals.
Plasmodium malariae (P.m.) represents the least studied of the five human-malaria-causing Plasmodium species, despite its widespread global distribution. Control of P.m. is challenging due to the parasite’s unique biological features, unavailability of P.m.-specific diagnostic methods, chronic low-grade parasitemia, and suboptimal clinical features. Emerging evidence suggests increasing antimalarial drug resistance and reduced susceptibility to first-line antimalarials. Its capacity for chronic infection, diagnostic challenges, and emerging drug resistance threaten malaria elimination efforts. Thus, it represents a significant yet underappreciated contributor to global malaria burden. Enhanced molecular diagnostics, targeted therapeutic strategies, and improved surveillance systems are urgently needed to address this neglected pathogen and prevent its resurgence when other malaria species are under control. Here, we synthesize current knowledge on P.m. biology, public health impact, immune paradigm, and clinical manifestations. We discuss the research gaps, outstanding questions, and novel approaches to study P.m. biology. Shankar et al. discuss the malaria parasite Plasmodium malariae. They focus on the unique and increasing challenges to diagnosis, treatment, and eradication posed by the parasite.
