Relapse pattern of Plasmodium vivax in Mumbai: a study of 283 cases of vivax malaria.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relapse pattern of Plasmodium vivax in the city of Mumbai.


METHODS
283 cases of smear positive vivax malaria were treated with full dose (25 mg/kg) chloroquine and were asked to follow up for at least one year. None of the patients received primaquine.


RESULTS
Of the 150 cases who followed up for at least one year, 19 relapsed, 17/19 relapsed within the first 6 months; indicating that the relapse pattern in the city is predominantly of the tropical or Chesson strain type.


CONCLUSIONS
Vivax malaria patients should be monitored for at least six months. Those who do relapse should receive treatment with full dose chloroquine and 14 days of primaquine treatment.
Gogtay
N J
NJ
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, BYL Nair Ch Hospital & TN Medical College, Mumbai 400 008.
Desai
S
S
Kadam
V S
VS
Kamtekar
K D
KD
Dalvi
S S
SS
Kshirsagar
N A
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine