In vitro responses of Plasmodium falciparum isolates to five antimalaria drugs in French Guiana during 1994 and 1995

In vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum has been studied in French Guiana in the late 80's by JP Dedet et al. (1988 Bull Soc Path Ex 81: 88-93) and F Gay et al. (1992 XXII congres SMAGF Cayenne 7-11 avril: 32-33). Since this period epidemiological changes occurred in the Maroni valley, region with the higher level of endemicity, because of the desorganization of the health centers on the Suriname side and the increase of goldminer settlements which are not well controlled on both sides. With this point of view and considering the evolution of the susceptibility of P. falciparum in French Guiana, in vitro test were carried out with five drugs commonly used in the treatment of malaria: chloroquine, amodiaquine, quinine, mefloquine and halofantrine.