A simple model of the build-up of resistance to mixtures of anti-malarial drugs.
In an organism with a life-cycle modelled on that of Plasmodium two separate resistance genes are assumed, each protecting against one of two unrelated drugs. The model was used to compare the rates of build-up of resistance in a population where the two drugs are used either as a mixture or in sequence. The model suggests that the use of a mixture would be advantageous if: both resistances are initially rare; there is recombination between the genes; a large proportion of the parasite population is unexposed to the drugs.
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D011815:R Factors; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D000962:Antimalarials; D004338:Drug Combinations