Chloroquine phosphate microbiology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Chetan Lokhande, M.B.B.S [2]
Microbiology
Mechanism of Action
Chloroquine is an antimalarial agent. While the drug can inhibit certain enzymes, its effect is believed to result, at least in part from its interaction with DNA. However, the mechanism of plasmodicidal action of chloroquine is not completely certain.
Activity in vitro and in vivo
Chloroquine is active against the erthyrocytic forms of Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum (but not the gametocytes of P. falciparum). It is not effective against exoerythrocytic forms of the parasite.
In vitro studies with trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica have demonstrated that chloroquine also possesses amebicidal activity comparable to that of emetine.
Drug Resistance
Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine is widespread and cases of Plasmodium vivax have been reported.[1]
References
Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.