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Chloroquine resistant Plasmodium vivax malaria in India
1Malaria Research Centre, Field Station, Hardwar, India.
Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Chloroquine treatment failed for a Plasmodium vivax malaria case in India. High drug concentrations indicate P. vivax resistance to chloroquine in Mathura, India.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Plasmodium vivax malaria is a significant public health concern in India, with 1.2-1.5 million annual cases.
- Standard treatment involves chloroquine, which has been effective for P. vivax infections.
- Chloroquine resistance in P. vivax has been reported in other regions, necessitating ongoing surveillance.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old girl in Mathura, India, presented with P. vivax malaria.
- Two treatment cycles with standard chloroquine dosage failed to clear the infection.
- High plasma and whole blood chloroquine concentrations were measured, exceeding levels typically lethal to P. vivax.
Findings:
- The patient's P. vivax infection was refractory to chloroquine therapy.
- Measured chloroquine levels in the patient were significantly higher than the effective therapeutic range.
- This suggests the presence of chloroquine-resistant P. vivax strains in Mathura, India.
Implications:
- The findings highlight a potential emerging threat of chloroquine resistance in P. vivax malaria in India.
- This necessitates re-evaluation of current malaria treatment guidelines and drug efficacy monitoring.
- Enhanced surveillance for drug-resistant malaria parasites is crucial for effective disease control.