Stage-specific sensitivity ofPlasmodium falciparum to antifolates

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Abstract
Highly synchronous cultures ofPlasmodium falciparum were exposed to therapeutic concentrations of sulfadoxine or pyrimethamine at different developmental stages to investigate the effect on subsequent growth. Morphological observations showed that schizont formation from uninuclear trophozoites was the only process inhibited by the drugs. Segmentation of mature schizonts, merozoite invasion and development of the ring stage remained unaffected. These results support earlier reports suggesting that DNA synthesis is most pronounced in 32–42 h old trophozoites. The possible relevance of our results to the metabolism ofP. falciparum is discussed.