Ketolide agents HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 (telithromycin) inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

Background: Malaria is on the increase due to emergence of parasite drug resistance and there is thus an urgent need for the development of new antiparasitic drugs effective at low concentrations. Ketolides antibiotics are used for treatment of various ailments and are relevant candidates to establish antiparasitic activity.

Objectives: The present study investigates the activity of ketolide compounds HMR 3004 and HMR 3647 (telithromycin) (0.