Atovaquone plus proguanil versus halofantrine for the treatment of imported acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in non-immune adults: a randomized comparative trial.

In endemic zones, the atovaquone-proguanil (AP) combination is well tolerated and effective in treating acute, uncomplicated malaria. Trials involving non-immune patients are lacking, however. We conducted a randomized, multicenter open-label trial to determine the efficacy and tolerability of the AP combination (1,000 mg + 400 mg once daily for 3 days) in comparison with halofantrine (HF) (1,500 mg in 3 doses) in non-immune adults with imported uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Cytoadherence characteristics of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Thailand using an in vitro human lung endothelial cells model.

Using an in vitro model of human lung endothelial cells, we studied different characteristics of Plasmodium falciparum isolates as potential factors for malaria severity in 2 Thai patient groups: 27 with complicated malaria and 42 with uncomplicated malaria. In regard to binding properties, no association existed between cytoadherence and rosette phenotypes (P = 0.1) and hypothrombocytemia increased the cytoadherence level (P = 0.

Circulating receptors implicated in the cyto-adherence occurring in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Thailand.

The kinetic profiles of soluble chondroitin-sulphate A (CSA), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin were investigated in 17 patients hospitalized with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The aim was to see if these circulating adhesion molecules could be considered as markers for the severity of P. falciparum malaria.

Primary culture of human lung microvessel endothelial cells: a useful in vitro model for studying Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte cytoadherence.

In the past, several cell lines have been used as in vitro models for studying cytoadherence, which refers to the specific binding of Plasmodium falciparum-parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) to host endothelium of microvessels. These models include: (a) human cells, including human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), C32 amelanotic melanoma cells and monocytes; (b) non-human cells transfected with human genes, including COS and CHO cells; and (c) purified candidate receptor molecules. However, endothelial cells from malaria target organs are rarely investigated.