Authors: Eva Maria Hodel, Abdunoor Mulokozi Kabanywanyi, Aggrey Malila, Boris Zanolari, Thomas Mercier, Hans-Peter Beck, Thierry Buclin, Piero Olliaro, Laurent Arthur Decosterd, Blaise Genton
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008184
Abstract Summary
Three-quarters of Tanzanian malaria patients enrolled in a 2014 study had detectable antimalarial drugs in their blood despite reporting no recent use. Most common were lumefantrine (54%) and sulfadoxine (52%). This highlights unreliable self-reporting and widespread unofficial drug access. Researchers recommend routine screening in clinical trials to ensure accurate results, warning that persistent sub-therapeutic drug levels may accelerate resistance.
Why Brain? 🧠
Study reveals 74% of Tanzanian malaria patients had undisclosed antimalarial drugs in their blood, potentially skewing treatment studies and accelerating drug resistance through sub-therapeutic levels.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
