The interplay between drug resistance and fitness in malaria parasites.

摘要: Controlling the spread of antimalarial drug resistance, especially resistance Plasmodium falciparum to artemisinin-based combination therapies, is a high priority. Available data indicate that, as with other microorganisms, drug-resistant malaria parasites limited by fitness costs that frequently accompany resistance. Resistance-mediating polymorphisms in have been identified putative transporters and target enzymes. The impacts these on parasite characterized vitro animal models. Additional insights come from analyses samples clinical studies, both evaluating under different selective pressures determining consequences infection parasites. With some exceptions, resistance-mediating lead compared wild type, grow less well culture animals, are replaced type when pressure diminishes setting. In cases, may be offset compensatory mutations increase virulence or changes enhance transmission. However, not enough known about effects mediators fitness. A better appreciation fitness-mediating will facilitate development optimal guidelines for treatment prevention malaria.