In vitro delayed response to dihydroartemisinin of malaria parasites infecting sickle cell erythocytes

AbstractBackgroundDecreased efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) duringPlasmodium falciparummalaria attack has been previously reported in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The main purpose of this study was to investigate thein vitrosusceptibility of isolates to DHA to find out hypothesis backing up the reason of this treatment failure.MethodIsolates from patients attending health centers in Abidjan with uncomplicatedP.falciparummalaria were collected. Hemoglobin type has been identified and in vitro drug sensitivity tests were conducted with the Ring Stage Assay and maturation inhibition assay.Results134 isolates were selected. Parasitemia and hemoglobin level at inclusion were lower in patients with hemoglobin HbSS and HbSC than in patients with normal HbAA.