Malarone treatment failure not associated with previously described mutations in the cytochrome b gene
Abstract Malarone ® (atovaquone-proguanil) is an effective drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. However, first cases of resistance have been reported, which are associated with mutations at codon 268 of the parasite's cytochrome b gene. We report the...
Published in: | Malaria Journal |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
BMC
2004
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-3-14 https://doaj.org/article/e9bbd17f350e41c0930fe0365ed1688a |
Summary: | Abstract Malarone ® (atovaquone-proguanil) is an effective drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. However, first cases of resistance have been reported, which are associated with mutations at codon 268 of the parasite's cytochrome b gene. We report the first case of Malarone ® treatment failure from Central Africa. Drug concentration was well within curative range. Pre- and post-treatment Plasmodium falciparum isolates revealed codon 268 wild-type alleles, and no other mutations of the putative atovaquone-binding domain. These findings illustrate the spread of atovaquone-proguanil-resistance in Africa and question the usefulness of codon 268 as the only target for the surveillance of its emergence. |
---|