Subscribe now

Health

Your gut microbes may influence how ill you get with malaria

After being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, people with a certain mix of gut bacteria had much higher levels of the parasite in their blood than those with different microbes

By Carissa Wong

21 September 2022

3d illustration of blood cells and Plasmodium sp. parasites causing malaria.

Malaria parasites multiply inside red blood cells

CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Your gut microbes may influence how well malaria parasites replicate in your body, according to a small study. If confirmed, the findings could mean that altering the gut microbiome can protect people against severe malaria.

Previous studies looking at naturally occurring malaria infections in people have hinted at a possible link between the mix of bacteria in people’s guts and the severity of malaria infections.

Jennifer Manuzak at Tulane University in Louisiana and her colleagues looked to test this idea by deliberately …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account