Chloroquine sensitivity: diminished prevalence of chloroquine-resistant gene marker pfcrt-76 13 years after cessation of chloroquine use in Msambweni, Kenya.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine (CQ) denied healthcare providers access to a cheap and effective anti-malarial drug. Resistance has been proven to be due to point mutations on the parasite's pfcrt gene, particularly on codon 76, resulting in an amino acid change from lysine to threonine. This study sought to determine the prevalence of the pfcrt K76T mutation 13 years after CQ cessation in Msambweni, Kenya.