Malaria resistance concerns raised

Malaria parasites have become resistant to recognised treatments in western Cambodia, a new study has claimed.

Artemisinin-based therapies are becoming less effective, according to experts at the Wellcome Trust-Mahidol University Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme.

Despite being the first-line therapy for combating the disease, there are fears that increased resistance could make artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) obsolete.

Dr Arjen Dondorp, lead author of the study, said that "losing ACTs would be a disaster for malaria control".

"Artemisinin should clear the parasites at an early stage, preventing them further maturing and reproducing. When the drug's action is impaired, it becomes more difficult to eliminate the parasites from the body," he added.

"With artesunate losing its potency, ACTs rely much more on the weaker partner drug, increasing the risk that resistance also evolves towards the partner drug. This has very important consequences for the lifespan of ACTs."

The research was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the Global Malaria Programme of the World Health Organisation.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, connecting health communities