Resistance to Atovaquone-Proguanil in Malaria in Luanda, Angola
Author Information
Author(s): Sónia Pimentel, Fátima Nogueira, Carla Benchimol, Vatúsia Quinhentos, Joana Bom, Luís Varandas, Virgílio do Rosário, Luís Bernardino
Primary Institution: Centro de Malária e Outras Doenças Tropicais / IHMT / UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of atovaquone-proguanil resistance conferring mutations in the pfcytb gene in Luanda, Angola?
Conclusion
Atovaquone-proguanil can be recommended for use by travellers to Luanda with expected high efficacy.
Supporting Evidence
- All samples were identified as wild type for pfcytb gene at codon 268.
- No mutations associated with atovaquone-proguanil treatment failure were found.
- Prevalence of the studied mutations in the region was estimated to be less than 0.77%.
Takeaway
The study looked at whether a malaria treatment called atovaquone-proguanil works well in Luanda, and found that it does, with no resistance mutations found.
Methodology
PCR-RFLP methodology was used to identify pfcytb wild type codon 268 and two point mutations in blood samples from children hospitalized for malaria.
Limitations
The study only included children hospitalized for malaria, which may not represent the entire population.
Participant Demographics
Children younger than 12 years of age hospitalized at Luanda Pediatric Hospital.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
99%
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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