LIGHT-MICROSCOPIC CHANGES IN PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM FROM GABONESE CHILDREN TREATED WITH ARTEMETHER

The changes in Plasmodium falciparum in four Gabonese children sufferi ng from severe malaria and treated with pure artemether were observed in thin blood smears fixed and stained with Giemsa and examined by lig ht microscopy. Peripheral blood samples were taken every 8 hr up to 72 hr from three children and every 3 hr up to 9 hr from the other child . The morphologic changes involved all development stages (trophozoite s, schizonts, and gametocytes); they were first seen 3 hr after the st art of treatment and all parasites were abnormal after 24 hr. After tw o days of treatment, all infected erythrocytes disappeared except for a few with necrotic trophozoites. The morphologic changes were similar to the ultrastructural changes previously described in vivo and in vi tro in experimental models. They confirm the rapid effect of artemisin in derivatives on parasite clearance and clinical recovery, particular ly in cases of cerebral malaria.