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The development of artemisinin resistance in malaria: reasons and solutions
Author(s) -
Chrubasik Cosima,
Jacobson Raymond L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3133
Subject(s) - artemisinin , malaria , plasmodium falciparum , combination therapy , medicine , counterfeit drugs , counterfeit , traditional medicine , pharmacology , immunology , geography , archaeology
Despite world‐wide efforts in fighting malaria, this mosquito‐borne infectious disease is a huge burden for the population, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. The WHO recommends artemisinin‐based combination therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, artemisinin resistance cannot now be ignored. Factors affecting the development of artemisinin resistance include uncontrolled use of artemisinin‐based combination therapy (ACT), mobile populations and migrants, artemisinin monotherapy, the use of subtherapeutic levels of artesiminin, substandard and counterfeit drugs, high treatment cost, and co‐use of artemisinin derivates as prophylactic agents. Promising herbal alternatives are already in the pipeline, but the only long‐term solution for eradicating malaria would be the development of a successful vaccination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.