Drug-resistant malaria parasites introduced into Madagascar from Comoros Islands

Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Nov;13(11):1759-62. doi: 10.3201/eid1311.070235.

Abstract

To determine risk for drug-resistant malaria parasites entering Madagascar from Comoros Islands, we screened travelers. For the 141 Plasmodium falciparum isolates detected by real-time PCR, frequency of mutant alleles of genes associated with resistance to chloroquine and pyrimethamine was high. International-level antimalarial policy and a regional antimalarial forum are needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Comoros / epidemiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Madagascar / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Male
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Pyrimethamine / therapeutic use
  • Travel*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Chloroquine
  • Pyrimethamine