The value of plasmoquine as a gametocide in sub-tertian malaria

Abstract

Two completely independent series of observations are recorded on the duration of the life of crescents in the peripheral blood in unselected Somalis suffering from sub-tertian malaria, who had been treated with quinine and atebrin and subsequently every alternate case treated with plasmoquine. In Series I of the control group (dealing with adult Somalis) the mean average survival of crescents was over 9 days from the day of completion of the course of atebrin (coefficient of variation = 38 per cent.), and in Series II (dealing with all age groups) the mean survival rate was found to be over 11 days (coefficient of variation = 60 per cent.) from the day after the completion of the atebrin medication, i.e., over 12 days from the day of completion of the atebrin course of treatment. Series I cases treated with plasmoquine following the quinine and atebrin course showed a mean survival period of 3 days (coefficient of variation = 47 per cent.), and Series II a survival period of 2 days (coefficient of variation = 48 per cent.), from and including the day on which plasmoquine was commenced.