title: Chloroquine resistance of Plasmodium falciparum: a biological advantage?
abstract: The response in vitro of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, mefloquine and quinine was studied in a hyperendemic peri-urban area of Accra, Ghana, during the fourth quarter of 1991, yielding a total of 159 valid tests. Schizont maturation in drug-free controls and effective chloroquine concentrations were strongly correlated. This was not seen with mefloquine or quinine. Higher mean parasitaemia in untreated oligo-symptomatic carriers of overtly chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum than in carriers of more sensitive parasites was another indication of higher viability and biological advantage of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum that may conceivably have clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Wernsdorfer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Landgraf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wiedermann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kollaritsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*; D012100:Reproduction, Asexual
chemical_list: D002738:Chloroquine