| Journal: |
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Elsevier Inc
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Volume: |
Vol. 29
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| Abstract: |
Malaria is a disease caused by protozoan species of the genus Plasmodium. It is widespread and becoming
a challenge in several African countries in the tropical and subtropical regions. In 2010, a report was pub-
lished showing that over 1.2 million death cases were occurred globally due to malaria in just one year.
The transmission of the disease from one person to another occurs via the bite of the Anopheles female. It
is known that Plasmodium ovale, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. falciparum, and P. knowlesi are the highly infective
malaria species. The problem of this disease is the absence of any effective medical treatment or vaccine,
making the mosquito control is the only feasible way for disease prevention. Pesticides are currently the
most widely used method for mosquito control, despite its well-known negative effects, including health
hazards on human, the increasing insecticidal resistance, and the negative impact on the environment
and beneficial organisms. Biological control (also called: biocontrol) of insects has been a promising
method to overcome the negative effects of using chemical insecticides, as it depends on just using the
natural enemies of pests to either minimize their populations or eradicate them. This article provides
an overview of the recent and effective biological means to control malaria, such as bacteria, fungi,
viruses, larvivorous fish, toxorhynchites larva and nematodes. In addition, the importance, advantages,
and disadvantages of the biocontrol methods will be discussed in comparison with the traditionally used
chemical methods of malaria control with special reference to nanotechnology as a novel method for
insects’ control.
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