The gametocytocidal action of paludrine upon infections of Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

That quinine has little or no destructive action against gametocytes of Plasmodium Falciparum (crescents) has been known for a long time. Marchiafava & Bignami (1900) pointed out that quinine (grains xxx daily) over a period of time did not perceptibly affect the sexual parasites of P. falciparum. Darling (1914), working in the Panama Zone, showed that Anopheles albimanus readily became infected when fed upon carriers of M.T. crescents who were taking xxx grains of quinine daily. These and other experiments showed that quinine, even in large doses, has no direct destructive action on crescents, and does not prevent mosquitoes from becoming infected once the.crescents are formed and are present in the peripheral circulation. However, quinine given in heavy doses during the first day or two of a primary attack, restricts and reduces the asexual source of supply.