A 26-year-old woman with uncomplicated malaria who was treated initially with chloroquine now has relapsed. What is the reason for a chloroquine-treated case of Plasmodium vivax relapsing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax may have resting liver forms, which are very slow to develop into schizonts with merozoites and proceed onto the chloroquine-sensitive erythrocytic stages after treatment is over. (It is not over with P. ovale or P. vivax unless you also treat with primaquine phosphate, which kills the liver stages.) (Papua, New Guinea, and Indonesia now have chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax.)

A 26-Year-Old Woman with Uncomplicated Malaria Who Was Treated Initially