International Journal of Academic Health and Medical Research (IJAHMR)   Year: 2022 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 54-59 Plasmodium Falciparum Resistance or Decreased Susceptibility to Artemisinin Combination Therapy; the Way Forward Download PDF Etefia U. Etefia, Paul C. Inyang-Etoh, Solomon A. Ben Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is caused by polymorphism in the genes malaria parasites which convey resistance either to artemisinin or to the partner drugs which make up the ACTs. Mutations of pfk13 and pfatpase are responsible for hypersensitivity to artemisinin. With most of the current partner drugs sharing the same quinoline moiety with chloroquine, resistance due to P. falciparum resistance to the partner drugs could be caused by mutation of pfcrt, pfdhfr and pfdhp. On the other hand, mutation of pfmdr 1 could be responsible for resistance to both artemisinin and the partner drugs. High ACT resistance prevalence has been reported in areas where resistance to artemisinin and the partner drugs have been common. In order to control antimalarial drug resistance parasites, strategies aim at controlling the rate of malaria transmission and reducing the rate of development of antimalarial drug resistance parasites should be embarked upon.