Blood-stage dynamics and clinical implications of mixed Plasmodium vivax-Plasmodium falciparum infections.
We present a mathematical model of the blood-stage dynamics of mixed Plasmodium vivax-Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections in humans. The model reproduces features of such infections found in nature and suggests several phenomena that may merit clinical attention, including the potential recrudescence of a long-standing, low-level P. falciparum infection following a P. vivax infection or relapse and the capacity of an existing P. vivax infection to reduce the peak parasitemia of a P. falciparum superinfection. We simulate the administration of antimalarial drugs, and illustrate some potential complications in treating mixed-species malaria infections. Notably, our model indicates that when a mixed-species infection is misdiagnosed as a single-species P. vivax infection, treatment for P. vivax can lead to a surge in P. falciparum parasitemia.
Mason
D P
DP
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
McKenzie
F E
FE
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000962:Antimalarials