In vitro responses of P. falciparum parasites to chloroquine, amodiaquine and quinine in two ecological zones in Ghana
Afari, E.A.; Akanmori, B.D.; Nakano, T.; Ofori-Adjei, D.
Central African Journal of Medicine 39(7): 136-140
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 8205605 Document Number: 413019
Blood specimens were taken from 318 schoolchildren with at least 1000 and not more than 80 000 Plasmodium falciparum asexual parasites per mu l blood for a 30-hour in vitro microtest of P. falciparum asexual parasite responses to chloroquine, amodiaquine and quinine. The study was conducted in primary schools in 4 urban and 3 rural communities in the coastal and forest zones in Ghana between June 1988 and December 1990. Chloroquine resistance was present in 58.7% (54/92) and 3.9% (4/103) of the successful in vitro tests in the coastal and forest zones respectively. Resistance to amodiaquine was recorded in 28.6% (12/42) of the successful tests in the coastal zone. There was no resistance to quinine in any of the ecological zones. Concentrations of the 3 drugs in pmol required for 90% inhibition of schizont maturation were generally higher in communities in the coastal zone than those in the forest zone. The results suggest an increase in sensitivity or a reduction in resistance of P. falciparum to the drugs from the coast to the forest zone.