Plasmodium berghei: Combining folic acid antagonists for potentiation against malaria infections in mice

Replication of Plasmodium in reticulocytes can occur without hemozoin formation, resulting in chloroquine resistance

“…We tested the sensitivity of the Δ pm4 Δ bp2 parasites to artesunate (AS) and chloroquine (CQ); their mode of action is believed to depend on Hb digestion/Hz formation ( Egan et al, 2004 ; Klonis et al, 2011 ). As a control we used sulfadiazine (SD), an inhibitor of folic acid synthesis ( Kinnamon et al, 1976 ). AS and SD treatment of WT- and Δ pm4 Δ bp2 -infected BALB/c mice resulted in rapid clearance of parasites from bloodstream in 3–4 and 4–5 d after start of AS (50 mg/kg body weight, i.p.)…”