Markers of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; implications for malaria chemoprevention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is a cornerstone of malaria chemoprophylaxis and is considered for programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, SP efficacy is threatened by drug resistance, that is conferred by mutations in the dhfr and dhps genes. The World Health Organization has specified that intermittent preventive treatment for infants (IPTi) with SP should be implemented only if the prevalence of the dhps K540E mutation is under 50%. There are limited current data on the prevalence of resistance-conferring mutations available from Eastern DRC. The current study aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Methods

Dried blood-spot samples were collected from clinically suspected malaria patients [outpatient department (OPD)] and pregnant women atten

SUBMITTER: van Lenthe M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6921399 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature