The mechanism of resistance to sulfa drugs in Plasmodium falciparum
- Author(s)
- Triglia, T; Cowman, AF;
- Details
- Publication Year 1999,Volume 2,Issue #1,Page 15-19
- Journal Title
- DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The sulfonamide and sulfone (sulfa) group of antimalarials has been used extensively throughout malaria endemic regions of the world to control this important infectious disease of humans. Sulfadoxine is the most extensively used drug of this group of drugs and is usually combined with pyrimethamine (Fansidar), particularly for the control of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most lethal form of malaria. Resistance to the sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine combination is widespread. Analysis using molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches has shown that the mechanism of resistance to sulfadoxine involves mutation of dihydropteroate synthase, the enzyme target of this group of drugs. Understanding the mechanism of resistance of P. falciparum to sulfa drugs has allowed detailed analysis of the epidemiology of the spread of drug resistance alleles in the field(1) and, in the future, opens the way to the development of novel antimalarials to this target enzyme.
- Publisher
- CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE
- Keywords
- HUMAN MALARIA PARASITE; DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHASE; SULFONAMIDE RESISTANCE; IN-VITRO; SULFADOXINE RESISTANCE; ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY; FOLIC-ACID; PYRIMETHAMINE; SYNTHETASE; INVITRO
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1054/drup.1998.0060
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 1999-01-01 12:00:00