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Purpose of reviewArtemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are globally the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria and new compounds will not be available within the next few years. Artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum emerged over a decade ago in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and, compounded by ACT partner drug resistance, has caused significant ACT treatment failure. This review provides an update on the epidemiology, and mechanisms of artemisinin resistance and approaches to counter multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria.Recent findingsAn aggressive malaria elimination programme in the GMS has helped prevent the spread of drug resistance to neighbouring countries. However, parasites carrying artemisinin resistance-associated mutations in the P. falciparum Kelch13 gene (pfk13) have now emerged independently in multiple locations elsewhere in Asia, Africa and South America. Notably, artemisinin-resistant infections with parasites carrying the pfk13 R561H mutation have emerged and spread in Rwanda.SummaryEnhancing the geographic coverage of surveillance for resistance will be key to ensure prompt detection of emerging resistance in order to implement effective countermeasures without delay. Treatment strategies designed to prevent the emergence and spread of multidrug resistance must be considered, including deployment of triple drug combination therapies and multiple first-line therapies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/qco.0000000000000766

Type

Journal

Current opinion in infectious diseases

Publication Date

10/2021

Volume

34

Pages

432 - 439

Addresses

Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Keywords

Humans, Plasmodium falciparum, Malaria, Falciparum, Artemisinins, Antimalarials, Drug Resistance, Mutation