PLASMODIUM-BERGHEI - SELECTION OF MEFLOQUINE-RESISTANT PARASITES THROUGH DRUG PRESSURE IN MOSQUITOS

Mefloquine is an antimalarial drug with schizonticidal activity on blo od-stage parasites. Studies of the role of mefloquine on the developme nt of Plasmodium berghei ANKA in Anopheles stephensi have been carried out that showed a dose-dependent effect on the sporogonic cycle of th ese parasites, with changes in the numbers of oocysts and the extent o f sporozoite invasion of salivary glands. In this study, we show that mefloquine-resistant P. berghei ANKA blood stage parasites could be se lected through drug pressure during continuous cyclical transmission o f Anopheles gambiae s.1. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.