The development of artemisinin resistance in malaria: reasons and solutions.
Despite world-wide efforts in fighting malaria, this mosquito-borne infectious disease is a huge burden for the population, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. The WHO recommends artemisinin-based combination therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, artemisinin resistance cannot now be ignored. Factors affecting the development of artemisinin resistance include uncontrolled use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), mobile populations and migrants, artemisinin monotherapy, the use of subtherapeutic levels of artesiminin, substandard and counterfeit drugs, high treatment cost, and co-use of artemisinin derivates as prophylactic agents. Promising herbal alternatives are already in the pipeline, but the only long-term solution for eradicating malaria would be the development of a successful vaccination.
Chrubasik
Cosima
C
Jacobson
Raymond L
RL
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; C031327:artemisinin