Malaria: Patterns of relapse and resistance

Abstract 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.)