Abstract
 
2001
 
Can treatment of P. vivax lead to a unexpected appearance of falciparum malaria?
 
Mason, D. P., Krudsood, S., Wilairatana, P., Viriyavejakul, P., Silachamroon, U., Chokejindachai, W., Singhasivanon, P., Supavej, S., McKenzie, F. E., and Looareesuwan, S.
 
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand dmason@itsaucsfedu
 
Abstract: Of 994 patients admitted to the Bangkok Hospital for Tropical Diseases for P. vivax malaria, 104 (10.5%) experienced appearance of Plasmodiumfalciparum following drug treatment for P. vivax . In all patients, P. falciparum parasites were not found by microscopic examination upon admission. The mean time for P. falciparum appearance was 12.6 days after the commencement of chloroquine treatment. Patients experiencing appearance of P. falciparum had significantly lower hematocrit, and greater initial P. vivax parasite counts. We use a mathematical model to explore the consequences of chloroquine treatment of such mixed infections. Both clinical results and features of the model suggest that such "hidden infections" may be quite common, and that the appearance of P. falciparum may be stimulated by treatment of P. vivax
 
Published in:Southeast Asian J.Trop.Med.Public Health 32[1], 57-63. 2001.
 
Last updated: September, 2010
 
 
   
Copyright © 2008 Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University. All rights reserved.
Webmaster : tmwww@mahidol.ac.th