A Case of Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax Malaria Imported from Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Resistance of falciparum malaria to antimalarial agents is prevalent in many areas, whereas chloroquine-resistant vivax malaria has been reported mainly around New Guinea since 1989. Concomitant with the spread of chloroquine-resistant P. vivax and increase in number of international travelers, imported cases of chloroquine-resistant vivax malaria in travelers returning from these areas has been reported. We experienced a case of chloroquine resistance P. vivax infection imported from Mangole Island, Indonesia. Its origin is confirmed not to be indigenous by the gene encoding analysis for the polymorphic region of apical membrane antigen-1 in P. vivax. Gene sequencing of the P. vivax mdr1 gene revealed only one substitution located at the codon 1076 (F1076L). The case was managed with oral quinidine with successful outcomes.