Publication: Appropriate time for primaquine treatment to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in hypoendemic areas
1
Issued Date
2010-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17380006
00234001
00234001
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-77954434820
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Korean Journal of Parasitology. Vol.48, No.2 (2010), 179-182
Suggested Citation
Polrat Wilairatana, Srivicha Krudsood, Noppadon Tangpukdee Appropriate time for primaquine treatment to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in hypoendemic areas. Korean Journal of Parasitology. Vol.48, No.2 (2010), 179-182. doi:10.3347/kjp.2010.48.2.179 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/29277
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Appropriate time for primaquine treatment to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in hypoendemic areas
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Artemesinin-combination therapies (ACT) for falciparum malaria reduce gametocyte carriage, and therefore reduce transmission. Artemisinin derivatives will act against only young gametocytes whereas primaquine acts on mature gametocytes which are present usually in the circulation at the time when the patient presents for treatment. Both artemisinin derivatives and primaquine have short half-lives, less than 1 hr and 7 hr, respectively. Therefore, asexual parasites or young gametocytes remain after completed ACT. A single dose of primaquine (0.50-0.75 mg base/kg) at the end of ACT can kill only mature gametocytes but cannot kill young gametocytes (if present). Remaining asexual forms after completion of ACT course, e.g., artesunate-mefloquine for 3 days, may develop to mature gametocytes 7-15 days later. Thus, an additional dose of primaquine (0.50-0.75 mg base/kg) given 2 weeks after ACT completion may be beneficial for killing remaining mature gametocytes and contribute to more interruption of Plasmodium falciparum transmission than giving only 1 single dose of primaquine just after completing ACT.