Susceptibility of plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine amodiaquine and fansidar in Gujranwala district

ABSTRACT

Mass blood surveys were carried out in selected villages of Gujranwala district, with a high incidence of falciparum malaria. Blood smears from the subjects were prepared daily. Parasite density per mm of blood was determined. A smear was considered negative if no asexual parasite was found after searching 100 fields of a thick blood smear. Slide Positivity Rate was 45.1%. The majority of falciparum malaria cases [69%] demonstrated resistance against chloroquine by the in-vivo test. More than half of the falciparum infections [61%] with confirmed resistance against chloroquine were susceptible to amodiaquine. Fansidar cured 92% of infections resistant to both chloroquine and amodiaquine. Fansidar is considered by WHO as the most important alternative drug for treatment of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria. Resistance against Fansidar can develop readily, therefore large scale and indiscriminate use should be avoided. It should only be given in those cases of blood smear confirmed falciparum infection, not cured by 3 day treatment with a total dose of 25 mg base/kg body wt., of chloroquine