Open AccessSteep Rebound of Chloroquine-SensitivePlasmodium falciparumin Zimbabwe
Author(s) -
Sungano Mharakurwa,
Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni,
Nobert Mudare,
Charmaine Matimba,
Tanatswa Xuxa Gara,
Aramu Makuwaza,
Gladys Maponga,
Shungu Munyati,
Lovemore Gwanzura,
Susan Mutambu,
Peter R. Mason,
Kunihiko Tamaki,
Nicholas Midzi,
William J. Moss,
Matthew M. Ippolito
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of infectious diseases (online. university of chicago press)/the journal of infectious diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.69
H-Index - 252
eISSN - 1537-6613
pISSN - 0022-1899
DOI - 10.1093/infdis/jiaa368
Subject(s) - chloroquine , malaria , plasmodium falciparum , drug resistance , discontinuation , formulary , drug , medicine , biology , virology , pharmacology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology
Removal of chloroquine from national malaria formularies can lead to the reversion of resistant Plasmodium falciparum to wild-type. We report a steep decline in chloroquine-resistant P falciparum within 10 years of national discontinuation of chloroquine monotherapy in Zimbabwe. Drug resistance surveillance is a vital component of malaria control programs, and the experience with chloroquine in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa is illustrative of the potentially rapid and dramatic impact of drug policy on antimalarial resistance.