Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum field isolates to in-vitro artemether and point mutations of the SERCA-type PfATPase6

Lancet. 2005 Dec 3;366(9501):1960-3. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67787-2.

Abstract

Artemisinin derivatives are an essential component of treatment against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We aimed to investigate in-vitro resistance to artemisinin derivatives in field isolates. In-vitro susceptibility of 530 P falciparum isolates from three countries (Cambodia, French Guiana, and Senegal) with different artemisinin use was assessed with an isotopic microtest. Artemether IC50 up to 117 and 45 nmol/L was seen in French Guiana and Senegal, respectively. DNA sequencing in a subsample of 60 isolates lends support to SERCA-PfATPase6 as the target for artemisinins. The S769N PfATPase6 mutation, noted exclusively in French Guiana, was associated with raised (>30 nmol/L) artemether IC50s (p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney). All resistant isolates came from areas with uncontrolled use of artemisinin derivatives. This rise in resistance indicates the need for increased vigilance and a coordinated and rapid deployment of drug combinations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Artemether
  • Artemisinins / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification
  • Point Mutation / genetics*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Artemether