In vitro processing of donors' blood with quinine for elimination of malaria parasites.
OBJECTIVE
To eliminate malaria parasites in donors' blood in vitro for eradication of transfusion-induced malaria.


METHODS
We conducted the study at Ahmed Gasim Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, between January 2005 and January 2006. Out of 4484 blood samples screened for malaria parasite microscopically, only 30 (200 ml each) satisfied the inclusion criteria of this study. The samples were subdivided equally into 4 portions. Three concentrations of quinine were separately added to 3 specimens while the fourth left without quinine (control). Blood specimens were tested on the day of collection by hematological and biochemical techniques simultaneously, and after 24 and 48 hours at 4-6 degrees celcius by the same techniques.


RESULTS
The number of malaria parasites killed were found to be proportional to the concentrations of quinine and to the storage period, while donors' blood samples without quinine revealed a stable number of the viable parasites during the storage. Quinine was highly effective within 24 hours storage. The detected lethal dose of the applied drug to malaria parasites was generally safe to all constituents of the stored blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that quinine could be used for the eradication of transfusion-induced malaria by in vitro processing of donors blood. The optimal doses could be added to bags' blood post phlebotomy.
Ali
Mohamed S
MS
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, PO Box 12702, Khartoum, Sudan. mohdaru@hotmail.com
Kadaru
Abdul M
AM
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001769:Blood / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000469:parasitology; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011803:Quinine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013397:Sudan; D013997:Time Factors
D000962:Antimalarials; D011803:Quinine