In vitro confirmation of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in KwaZulu
Freese, J.A.; Sharp, B.L.; Ngxongo, S.M.; Markus, M.B.
South African Medical Journal 74(11): 576-578
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3057656 Document Number: 325537
In May 1987 and January 1988 the choloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum in the Ubombo and Ingwavuma districts of KwaZulu was determined by a modified in vitro microtest in which the patients' plasma was replaced with non-immune human AB serum and the test plates were incubated in an atmosphere of 3% oxygen, 4% carbon dioxide and 93% nitrogen. A success rate of 74% was achieved using this technique. All of 23 successfully tested isolates from malaria patients reporting to clinics and a hospital in these areas were found to be resistant to chloroquine, schizogony being inhibited at 32 pmol per well in the majority of tests. Seventy-five per cent of the isolates obtained through active surveillance in the Ubombo district were found to be resistant in varying degrees. Malarial parasites collected from clinics and a hospital in the endemic area did not change markedly in their in vitro response to chloroquine during the 8-month period May 1987-January 1988.