Tracking artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Artemisinins are a key element in effective malarial treatment. When combined with an effective longer acting drug, in artemisinin combination therapies (ACT), artemisinins have substantially reduced worldwide malaria morbidity and mortality caused by Plasmodium falciparum. 1 WHOWorld malaria report 2012. http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world_malaria_report_2012/en/ Google Scholar Unfortunately, parasites with reduced susceptibility to artemisinins were identified in western Cambodia in 2007 2 Dondorp AM Nosten F Yi P et al. Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. N Eng J Med. 2009; 361: 455-467 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2462) Google Scholar and subsequently in surrounding areas of the Mekong region. 3 Phyo AP Nkhoma S Stepniewska K et al. Emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria on the western border of Thailand: a longitudinal study. Lancet. 2012; 379: 1960-1966 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (683) Google Scholar In response, WHO mobilised the community and developed plans for containment of this emerging resistance to artemisinin. 4 WHOGlobal plan for containment of artemisinin resistance. http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/9789241500838/en/index.htmlDate: 2011 Google Scholar Novel phenotypic assays for the detection of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cambodia: in-vitro and ex-vivo drug-response studiesThe in-vitro RSA of 0–3 h ring-stage parasites provides a platform for the molecular characterisation of artemisinin resistance. The ex-vivo RSA can be easily implemented where surveillance for artemisinin resistance is needed. Full-Text PDF