Iron chelation as a chemotherapeutic strategy for falciparum malaria.
To examine the effect of iron chelation against human malaria, 37 Zambians with asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections were randomly assigned to 72-hr infusions of desferrioxamine B or placebo. Mean concentrations of ring forms decreased significantly with desferrioxamine B (P < 0.001) but not with a placebo. Over seven days of observation, mean parasite concentrations remained at the initial levels in six individuals originally given placebo, but decreased promptly with administration of desferrioxamine B (P = 0.001). Mean parasitemia was significantly lower for up to four weeks in 16 subjects treated with desferrioxamine B when compared with the eight who had received placebo only (P = 0.027). We conclude that iron chelation has antiplasmodial activity and may offer a new therapeutic strategy for falciparum malaria.
Gordeuk
V R
VR
MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Thuma
P E
PE
Brittenham
G M
GM
Biemba
G
G
Zulu
S
S
Simwanza
G
G
Kalense
P
P
M'Hango
A
A
Parry
D
D
Poltera
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects
D003676:Deferoxamine