AI Article Synopsis
- The WHO recommends using single low-dose primaquine to help prevent malaria transmission in areas with low cases, but its use has been limited due to concerns about G6PD deficiency, which can cause harmful reactions.
- In Southern Province, Zambia, preliminary screening showed that 15% of residents have G6PD deficiency, and historical data indicated a high prevalence of malaria gametocytes in children aged 5-15.
- The study suggests that administering SLD primaquine specifically to school-aged children could be a promising strategy to reduce malaria transmission and aid in elimination efforts in southern Zambia.
Article Abstract
The WHO recommends single low-dose (SLD) primaquine as a gametocytocide to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in areas of low transmission. Despite this recommendation, uptake of SLD primaquine has been low because of concerns of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Individuals with G6PD deficiency can experience hemolysis when exposed to primaquine. In Southern Province, Zambia, malaria transmission has declined significantly over the past decade. Single low-dose primaquine may be an effective tool, but there is limited information on G6PD deficiency. We screened 137 residents in Macha, Southern Province, Zambia, and the prevalence of G6PD (A-) was 15%. We also revisited data collected from 2008 to 2013 in the same area and found the highest gametocyte burden among those aged 5-15 years. The findings from this study suggest that SLD primaquine targeted to school-aged children may be an effective tool to help achieve malaria elimination in southern Zambia.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7941823 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-1187 | DOI Listing |
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