• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제45권2호
• /
• pp.111-114
• /
• 2007

Chloroquine remains the drug of choice for the treatment of vivax malaria in Thailand. Mixed infections of falciparum and vivax malaria are also common in South-East Asia. Laboratory confirmation of malaria species is not generally available. This study aimed to find alternative regimens for treating both malaria species by using falciparum antimalarial drugs. From June 2004 to May 2005, 98 patients with Plasmodium vivax were randomly treated with either artemether-lumefantrine (n = 47) or chloroquine (n = 51). Both treatments were followed by 15 mg of primaquine over 14 days. Adverse events and clinical and parasitological outcomes were recorded and revealed similar in both groups. The cure rate was 97.4% for the artemether-lumefantrine treated group and 100% for the chloroquine treated group. We concluded that the combination of artemether-lumefantrine and primaquine was well tolerated, as effective as chloroquine and primaquine, and can be an alternative regimen for treatment of vivax malaria especially in the event that a mixed infection of falciparum and vivax malaria could not be ruled out.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제60권4호
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2022

Malaria continues to be one of the most crucial infectious burdens in endemic areas worldwide, as well as for travelers visiting malaria transmission regions. It has been reported that 8-aminoquinolines are effective against the Plasmodium species, particularly primaquine, for anti-hypnozoite therapy in P. vivax malaria. However, primaquine causes acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Therefore, G6PD deficiency testing should precede hypnozoite elimination with 8-aminoquinoline. Several point-of-care devices have been developed to detect G6PD deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a novel, quantitative G6PD diagnostics based on a metagenomic blue fluorescent protein (mBFP). We comparatively evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the G6PD diagnostic modality with standard methods using 120 human whole blood samples. The G6PD deficiency was spectrophotometrically confirmed. The performance of the G6PD quantitative test kit was compared with that of a licensed control medical device, the G6PD strip. The G6PD quantitative test kit had a sensitivity of 95% (95% confidence interval (CI): 89.3-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 94.3-100%). This study shows that the novel diagnostic G6PD quantitative test kit could be a cost-effective and time-efficient, and universally mandated screening tool for G6PD deficiency.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제61권2호
• /
• pp.154-162
• /
• 2023

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is caused by X-linked recessive disorderliness. It induces severe anemia when a patient with G6PD deficiency is exposed to oxidative stress that occurs with administration of an antimalarial drug, primaquine. The distribution of G6PD deficiency remains unknown while primaquine has been used for malaria treatment in Myanmar. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and its variants in Chin State, Myanmar. Among 322 participants, 18 (11 males and 7 females) demonstrated a G6PD deficiency. Orissa variant was dominant in the molecular analysis. This would be related to neighboring Indian and Bangladeshi population, in which Orissa variant was also reported as the main mutation type. The screening test for G6PD deficiency before primaquine treatment appears to be important in Myanmar.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제53권1호
• /
• pp.85-88
• /
• 2010

말라리아는 Plasmodium species의 감염에 의해 생기는 주기적인 발열, 오한, 피로, 빈혈, 비종대를 특징으로 하는 질병이다. 과거 국내에 크게 유행하였던 삼일열 말라리아는 최근 경기도 북부 지역을 중심으로 재유행하고 있고 높은 전염률을 보인다. 저자들은 경기도 포천으로 수학여행을 다녀온 후 고열과 혈소판감소증이 발생한 말라리아 1례를 경험하였다. 환아는 삼일열 말라리아로 진단되어 hydroxychloroquine, primaquine으로 치료받았다. 이에 저자들은 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제53권3호
• /
• pp.321-327
• /
• 2015

A 50-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic and complained of fever, poor oral intake, and weight loss. A chest X-ray demonstrated streaky and fibrotic lesions in both lungs, and chest CT revealed multifocal peribronchial patchy ground-glass opacities with septated cystic lesions in both lungs. Cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lymphocyte-dominant leukocytosis, and further analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a predominance of cytotoxic T cells and few T helper cells. Video-assisted wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the histologic examination was indicative of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was orally administered for 3 weeks; however, the patient complained of cough, and the pneumonia was aggravated in the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT. Molecular studies demonstrated mutations at codons 55 and 57 of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene, which is associated with the resistance to TMP-SMX. Clindamycin-primaquine was subsequently administered for 3 weeks replacing the TMP-SMX. A follow-up chest X-ray showed that the pneumonia was resolving, and the cough was also alleviated. A positive result of HIV immunoassay and elevated titer of HCV RNA indicated HIV infection as an underlying condition. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) during the course of treatment, and the molecular study of DHPS mutations. Additionally, altering the anti-PCP drug utilized as treatment must be considered when infection with drug-resistant P. jirovecii is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of TMP-SMX-resistant PCP described in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 1994

말라리아는 세계적으로 매년 1억 이상의 환자를 발생시키며 그 중 약 100만 명씩을 사망케 하고 있는 무서운 원충 질환으로 잘 알려져 있다. 우리 나라에는 과거에 삼일열 말라리아 (tefilnmuwia)의 유행이 있었으나 1970년대 말 이후부터는 토착적 환자 발생 보고가 없어 소멸된 것으로 알려져 왔다. 그러나 최근 저자 등은 해외 여행 경력이 없는 환자 1명에서 삼일열원충 (Plasmodium vivax) 감염을 확일하였기에 보고하고자 한다. 환자는 23세 남자인 국군 병사로서 1993년 7월 중순부터 18일 동안 격일로 매회 4-8시간씩 계속되는 발열과 오한을 주소로 내원하였다. 환자는 경남 창원시에 거주하였고 1992년 6월 군에 입대한 후에는 경기도 파주군의 한 야전군 부대에 근무해 왔으나 외국에 나간 일은 전혀 없다고 하였다. 과거력상 수혈을 받거나 정맥주사를 맞은 일도 없다고 하였다. 환자의 말초혈액 도말 표본에서는 삼일열원충의 ring form, trophozoite, schizont 및 gametocyte가 검출되었고, 약간의 적혈구 감소와 혈소판 감소가 관찰되었다 확진 후 hydroxychloroquine과 primaquine을 투여하여 치료하였고, 추적 혈액 도말검사에서는 말라리아 원충을 발견할 수 없었다. 이 증례가 우리 나라 토착적 말라리아의 재유행에 의한 것인지, 도입성 (introduced) 말라리아의 국내 정착에 의한 2차 감염 환자인지는 판단하기가 쉽지 않으나. 어쨌든 말라리아가 다시 유행할 가능성 에 대해서는 커다란 관심을 기울여 야 할 것으로 생각되었다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.288-292
• /
• 1997

Malaria is a febrile disease caused by protozoan parasites, genus Plasmodium. In Korea., indigenous malaria has been believed to be eradicated by 1984, and, thereafter, all of the reported cases were imported malaria. But since the first case report of re-emerging indigenous malaria in 1993, increasing number of cases were reported reaching more than 350 cases in 1996. However, indigenous malaria in children has not been reported yet. We experienced two cases of indigenous malaria in sisters who were 7 and 5 years old, respectively. Elder sister was presented with periodic fever, splenomegaly and mild headache. She had been to Guam before 4 months of the onset of symptoms. Younger sister was suffered from fever and splenomegaly and has not been abroad. They were diagnosed by examination of peripheral blood smear to be infected with Plasmodium vivax and were treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine successfully. These cases are believed to be first re-emerging cases of indigenous malaria in children, and malaria should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained febrile children.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.282-287
• /
• 1997

Malaria due to Plasmodium vivax had been known as an indigenous protozoan disease in Korea. However, massive use of insecticides and improvement of sanitation for several decades have led to rapid reduction of malaria incidence, then it was recognized to have been almost eradicated in recent years. However in 1993, one case was reported in Phajoo, Kyungki-do, and then, reported cases have been increasing annually. Recently we encountered one case of malaria in a 3 year old male child living in Dorim-dong, Seoul, who had never been abroad and had no history of transfusion, drug abuse, and travel to endemic area in Korea. He had characteristic fever, chill and splenomegaly and was confirmed as Plasmodium vivax malaria with peripheral blood smear finding. He was successfully treated with hydroxy chloroquine and primaquine. We report this case with brief review of related literature.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• 제18권1호
• /
• pp.20-23
• /
• 2021

Methemoglobin is generated by the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron within a hemoglobin molecule. Methemoglobin is unable to bind and transport oxygen, resulting in methemoglobinemia, which can lead to fatal tissue hypoxia. The most common cause of methemoglobinemia is poisoning by oxidizing agents such as dapsone, benzocaine, and primaquine. However, methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. We present two cases of methemoglobinemia that developed after a normal diet in two male patients. In this case report, the patients suddenly developed dyspnea and cyanosis after eating the same meal. They had no history of suspected poisoning, such as the use of drugs, exposure to chemicals, or gas inhalation. Their symptoms did not improve even after a high dose of oxygen was administered; further, an abnormal 'oxygen saturation gap' was observed. Because of CO-oximetry, the methemoglobin levels of the patients were 50.0% and 46.6%, respectively. We administered methylene blue (1 mg/kg), and the patients recovered completely without any complications. Emergency physicians should, therefore, be aware that methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. In addition, if the source and route of contamination are unclear, an epidemiological investigation should be conducted.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제46권2호
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2008

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently promoted as a strategy for treating both uncomplicated and severe falciparum malaria, targeting asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. However, the effect of ACT on sexual-stage parasites remains controversial. To determine the clearance of sexual-stage P. falciparum parasites from 342 uncomplicated, and 217 severe, adult malaria cases, we reviewed and followed peripheral blood sexualstage parasites for 4 wk after starting ACT. All patients presented with both asexual and sexual stage parasites on admission, and were treated with artesunate-mefloquine as the standard regimen. The results showed that all patients were asymptomatic and negative for asexual forms before discharge from hospital. The percentages of uncomplicated malaria patients positive for gametocytes on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were 41.5, 13.1, 3.8, 2.0, and 2.0%, while the percentages of gametocyte positive severe malaria patients on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were 33.6, 8.2, 2.7, 0.9, and 0.9%, respectively. Although all patients were negative for asexual parasites by day 7 after completion of the artesunate-mefloquine course, gametocytemia persisted in some patients. Thus, a gametocytocidal drug, e.g., primaquine, may be useful in combination with an artesunate-mefloquine regimen to clear gametocytes, so blocking transmission more effectively than artesunate alone, in malaria transmission areas.