Malaria: Patterns of relapse and resistance

Malaria constitutes persistent threat to the human health and remains a distinct cause of morbidity and mortality, 40% of the world population is at risk of exposure to this menace in 100 countries (WHO, 2001). Present data represents the registered cases of malaria in the hospitals and clinics in India. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infections were recorded 63.86%, 66.06%, 62.58% and 36.13%, 33.93%, 37.41%, respectively, amongst individuals with symptoms of intermittent high fever for three days. Maximum transmission with highest slide positivity rates (SPR) 61.76% and 50.14% was periodically and strategically observed during September and October while lowest yearly transmission slide positivity rates (SPR) (19.60–24.07%) was estimated in the months of March and April. Average relapse rates (ARR) in P. vivax was recorded 17.1%. Short term relapses were more recurring than the long term in the ratio of 4:1. Eighty-eight patients who were administered with total of 1500 mg chloroquine and 75 mg primaquine through divided doses also showed relapse rate of 4.5%. Patients suffering from falciparum malaria showed resistance against chloroquine in 10.6% cases after getting 1500 mg chloroquine based on divided doses (i.e. 600 mg on day 1 and 300 mg after 8 h and followed by 300 mg daily for 2 days.)