Mechanisms of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine resistance and health implication in Plasmodium falciparum malaria: A mini review

Sulfadoxine pyrimethamine was adopted by most African countries based on the recommendation Roll Back Malaria. However, parasite resistant to the drug emerged quicker than Chloroquine resistant and it now becoming an alarming issue in Africa where the malaria burden is high. Although there are lot of studies on sulfadoxine pyrimethamine resistance (SPR), including the identification of the genes responsible for SPR, many question remained unanswered. In this mini review, recent advances of the mechanism of SPR and its impact on health in Africa is highlighted with emphasise on the role of mutation in SPR. It is no doubt that better understanding of SPR will eventually lead to more effective malaria control measures.