Malaria

=__**Disease/Drug of interest**__ **|| Malaria/Mefloquine**=

**Motivation and Background**
Malaria is a severe and sometimes incurable disease triggered by a specific mosquito (Anopheles mosquitos) that infects humans by feeding on them. Although in the early 1950s malaria was eliminated from the United States of America, there have still been 1500-2000 reported cases of malaria every year. Malaria, worldwide though, is a more important issue; about 3.4 billion people live at a risk of malaria (usually third world countries with poor hygiene or travelers that come back from visiting these countries). The disease is a result of a type of microscopic parasite that is transferred thru mosquito bites, infecting red blood cells. [2] The transmission cycle of malaria is detailed in the figure below. Other ways people can catch malaria through exposure to infected blood are blood transfusions, sharing needles, pregnancy, etc. Certain population groups, including children, pregnant women, non-immune travelers, and people with HIV/AIDS, are more vulnerable to malaria, along with residents of third world countries. Lastly, high temperatures (above 20º C) are necessary to allow the mosquito to complete their growth cycle; as a result, malaria is prominently found in tropical, warmer areas. Malaria triggers high fevers, headaches, chills, fatigue, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms. [3]
 * References: **
 * 1) Adelman, Zach N. Genetic Control of malaria and dengue. London: Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier. 2015
 * 2) Centers Disease Control and Prevention. [] (accessed Feb 7, 2016)
 * 3) “The Ethiopian Campaign: Malaria” Chip Taylor Communications. 2003.

=__**Target Information** : __= erythrocytes/red blood cells of the p lasmodium parasite


 * Size of ** **target:** 6-8 μm
 * Location: ** found inside bones, particularly in bone marrow

** Function in a normal cell **

 * stores hemoglobin, which is vital to human body
 * binds to oxygen or carbon dioxide and helps transport hormones and nutrients throughout the body
 * hemoglobin colors our blood red

=__**Drug Information**** : **__=


 * Schematic figure of drug **


 * Formula: ** C17H16F6N2O


 * Molecular weight ** : 378.312 g/mol


 * CAS Number ** : 53230-10-7
 * Delivery method ** : through the mouth by tablets (occasionally through injection)
 * Side effects ** : sudden headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, and more

There have been many clinical trials that involve Mefloquine and malaria. In particular, there were 40 trials found.
 * Other names ** : antimalarial
 * Maker or company ** : Larium
 * Is it patented ** ? Yes
 * Clinical Trials Info ** :

__** Origin ** : __


 * Alternatives to this drug ** : Quinine and Chloroquine