A recent study highlights that regions with heavy artemisinin usage, coupled with conducive environmental factors, may emerge as new hotspots for resistance. Notably, certain areas in Africa are witnessing a gradual rise in resistance markers, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current malaria treatments.
Artemisinin is an antimalarial medication extracted from the sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua. The extraction process includes drying the leaves and using a solvent to isolate the active component. Its therapeutic benefits were discovered in the 1970s, marking a significant advancement in malaria treatment, particularly as the malaria parasite developed resistance to older medications like chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.
This drug is effective against all malaria-causing protozoan organisms belonging to the genus Plasmodium. It primarily acts during the blood stage of the malaria life cycle, hindering the parasite’s replication within red blood cells. Although artemisinin significantly reduces parasite levels, it is rapidly eliminated from the body, typically within hours. To address this, it is often combined with another medication that can persist longer and eliminate any remaining parasites.
The World Health Organization (WHO) endorses artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) as the preferred treatment approach for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Currently, several artemisinin derivatives, such as artesunate and artemether, are utilized in malaria treatment. Artesunate, in particular, is exceptionally effective for treating severe malaria and is the only derivative that can be administered via intravenous injection.
Q1. What is artemisinin used for?
Answer: Artemisinin is primarily used as an antimalarial drug, effectively treating infections caused by malaria parasites, particularly during the blood stage of their life cycle.
Q2. How does artemisinin work against malaria?
Answer: Artemisinin disrupts the replication of malaria parasites within red blood cells, significantly reducing their population in the bloodstream during infections.
Q3. Why is there concern about artemisinin resistance?
Answer: Increased resistance markers in malaria parasites may lead to reduced efficacy of artemisinin, complicating treatment options and potentially resulting in higher malaria morbidity and mortality rates.
Q4. What are artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)?
Answer: ACTs combine artemisinin with other antimalarial drugs to enhance efficacy and reduce the chance of resistance, making them the recommended treatment for malaria by the WHO.
Q5. Are there any derivatives of artemisinin?
Answer: Yes, notable derivatives include artesunate and artemether, both of which are used in various forms of malaria treatment, especially for severe cases.
Question 1: What is the primary source of artemisinin?
A) Sweet wormwood plant
B) Chloroquine
C) Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
D) Artemisia vulgaris
Correct Answer: A
Question 2: Why is artemisinin combined with other drugs?
A) To increase cost
B) To enhance effectiveness and reduce resistance
C) To minimize side effects
D) To limit its use
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is a key concern regarding artemisinin use?
A) Its high cost
B) Development of resistance
C) Lack of availability
D) Ineffectiveness
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which artemisinin derivative is effective for severe malaria?
A) Artemether
B) Artesunate
C) Quinine
D) Mefloquine
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What does WHO recommend for malaria treatment?
A) Monotherapy with chloroquine
B) Artemisinin-based combination therapies
C) Herbal remedies
D) Intravenous fluids
Correct Answer: B
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