<i>Plasmodium</i><i>falciparum</i>Clearance Is Rapid and Pitting Independent in Immune Malian Children Treated With Artesunate for Malaria

Abstract

Antimalarial immunity correlates with fast artemisinin-induced parasite clearance and low pitting rates. In nonimmune populations, artemisinin-induced P. falciparum clearance is related to pitting and starts after a 6-hour lag phase. In immune populations, passively and naturally acquired immune mechanisms operating faster than pitting may exist. This mechanism may mitigate the emergence of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum in Africa.