Paper II
2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)

Question

Primaquine in Vivax malaria

Q101 marksShort Answers

Answer

Plasmodium vivax forms dormant liver-stage hypnozoites, which blood schizonticides used to treat the acute attack cannot reach or kill, and which can reactivate weeks to months later to cause relapse. Primaquine is a tissue schizonticide specifically active against these hepatic hypnozoites, so it is added after acute treatment to achieve a radical cure — eliminating the dormant liver reservoir and preventing relapse. G6PD screening is mandatory before use, given its potent risk of triggering hemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients.

Other Years Asked


Revise MBBS
Preview