Could the solution to the long-standing battle against malaria be as straightforward as using soap? This intriguing possibility was presented in a recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases by scientists from The University of Texas at El Paso.
Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have discovered that adding liquid soap to certain pesticides can significantly enhance their effectiveness against malaria-carrying mosquitoes. This breakthrough offers a promising approach to combat the rising resistance of mosquitoes to current insecticides. The research aims to develop a soap-insecticide formulation for indoor use in malaria-prevalent regions, potentially impacting millions affected by this deadly disease.
The team has found that adding small quantities of liquid soap to some classes of pesticides can boost their potency by more than ten-fold.
University of Texas at El Paso scientists Colince Kamdem, Ph.D., left, and Caroline Fouet, Ph.D., have found that adding small quantities of liquid soap to some classes of pesticides can boost their potency by more than ten-fold. Credit: The University of Texas at El Paso
Both laboratory tests and field trials have shown that neonicotinoids, a special class of insecticide, are a promising alternative to target populations showing resistance to existing insecticides. Neonicotinoids, however, do not kill some mosquito species unless their potency is boosted. In this case, soap is the boosting substance.
Prior to joining UTEP, Kamdem worked at Cameroon’s Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID); it was there that he first caught on to soap’s potency while conducting routine insecticide testing.
