Host biology drives malaria treatment failures, reveals RGCB study (opens original article in a new tab)

A study reveals that immature red blood cells called reticulocytes protect the malaria parasite from artemisinin, leading to treatment failure, suggesting host biology plays a key role in drug resistance.

• Study finds reticulocytes create protective environment for malaria parasite
• Malaria parasites prefer reticulocytes, which have antioxidants that neutralize artemisinin
• Host biology influences drug resistance, not just genetic mutations in parasite
• Clinical relevance for patients with elevated reticulocyte levels