Assessment of in vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax fresh isolates

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the applicability of the SYBR Green-I assay with the standard schizont maturation assay, for determination of sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) to chloroquine and a new antifolate WR 99210.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was conducted at Mae Tao Clinic for migrant workers, Tak Province during April 2009 to July 2010. A total of 64 blood samples (1 mL blood collected into sodium heparinized plastic tube) were collected from patients with mono-infection with P. vivax malaria prior to treatment with standard regimen of a 3-day chloroquine. In vitro sensitivity of P. vivax isolates was evaluated by schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 30 out of 64 blood samples collected from patients with P. vivax malaria were successfully analyzed using both the microscopic schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays. The failure rates of the schizont maturation inhibition assay (50%) and the SYBR Green-I assay (54%) were similar (P=0.51). The median IC10s, IC50s and IC90s of both chloroquine and WR99210 were not significantly different from the clinical isolates of P. vivax tested. Based on the cut-off of 100 nM, the prevalences of chloroquine resistance determined by schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays were 19 and 11 isolates, respectively. The strength of agreement between the two methods was very poor for both chloroquine and WR99210.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>On the basis of this condition and its superior sensitivity, the microscopic method appears better than the SYBR Green-I Green assay for assessing in vitro sensitivity of fresh P. vivax isolates to antimalarial drugs.</p>

Assessment of in vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax fresh isolates

Objective: To compare the applicability of the SYBR Green-I assay with the standard schizont maturation assay, for determination of sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) to chloroquine and a new antifolate WR 99210. Methods: The study was conducted at Mae Tao Clinic for migrant workers, Tak Province during April 2009 to July 2010. A total of 64 blood samples (1 mL blood collected into sodium heparinized plastic tube) were collected from patients with mono-infection with P. vivax malaria prior to treatment with standard regimen of a 3-day chloroquine.In vitro sensitivity of P. vivax isolates was evaluated by schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays. Results: A total of 30 out of 64 blood samples collected from patients withP. vivax malaria were successfully analyzed using both the microscopic schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays. The failure rates of the schizont maturation inhibition assay (50%) and the SYBR Green-I assay (54%) were similar (P=0.51). The median IC10s, IC50s and IC90s of both chloroquine and WR99210 were not significantly different from the clinical isolates of P. vivax tested. Based on the cut-off of 100 nM, the prevalences of chloroquine resistance determined by schizont maturation inhibition and SYBR Green-I assays were 19 and 11 isolates, respectively. The strength of agreement between the two methods was very poor for both chloroquine and WR99210. Conclusions: On the basis of this condition and its superior sensitivity, the microscopic method appears better than the SYBR Green-I Green assay for assessing in vitro sensitivity of fresh P. vivax isolates to antimalarial drugs.

Molecular Cloning of Plasmodium vivax Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 4

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4 EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in E. coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.

Effects of Nitroquine on the Development of Exoerythrocytic Forms of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii in Rats / 第三军医大学学报

Wistar rats -were given orally a single dose of nitroquine acetate ( 1 mg/kg) 24 hours after an intravenous inoculation of the sporoizoites of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii strain BY 265. Liver biopsies were taken and some animals were killed at regular intervals to observe the exoerythrocytic forms(EEF). Blood smears of some animals were made to observe the parasitemia. The results were , as follows.1. The density of the EEF in the livers of the treated animals was low but the number of degenerated EEF was high 48 hours after inoculation. At this time, the EEF was smaller in size with less number of nucleus, but with irregular nuclear masses. The EEF at 54, 65 and 72 hours were characterized by un- even size of the nuclei, which were disproportionate to the size of the parasites, and by much more irregular masses of nucleus. Some degenerated EEF infiltrated by WBC could be found. There was no matured tissue schizont within 72 hours after sporozoile inoculation.2. Only 1 out of the 8 treated animals became patent of parasitemia of low level with a prolonged prepatent period.The results indicate that nitroquine exerts a causal prophylactic effect on rodent malaria and interferes with the development of EEF by suppressing the ouclear division