Molecular markers for drug resistance in malaria: use in treatment, diagnosis and epidemiology

The use of pfdhfr and pfdhps markers in determining antifolate resistance of Plasmodium falciparum has been consolidated. Similar progress has been made with pfcrt markers for chloroquine resistance, auguring well the operational deployment of molecular techniques. Regarding the molecular basis of resistance to arylaminoalcohols, related drugs, and artemisinin and its derivatives, answers remain elusive, but there are promising new leads.