Anti-malarial drugs: how effective are they against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes?

Malaria Journal

关键词: Plasmodium falciparum;    Gametocyte;    Anti-malarial drugs;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1475-2875-11-34

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

Recent renewed emphasis on the eradication of malaria has highlighted the need for more tools with which to achieve this ambitious goal. One high priority area is the need to determine the gametocytocidal activity of both currently used anti-malarial drugs and those in the development pipeline. However, testing the activity of compounds against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes is technically challenging both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Here the use of a simple robust assay to screen a panel of currently used and experimental anti-malarial drugs against mature P. falciparum gametocytes is described.

Results

Eight of 44 compounds tested reduced gametocyte viability by at least 50% and three showed IC₅₀ values in nM range.

Conclusions

There is a need to identify new compounds with activity against late stage gametocytes and the information provided by this in vitro assay is a valuable first step, which can guide future clinical studies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown