Title
Efficacy and effectiveness of mefloquine and artesunate combination therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the Peruvian Amazon
Date Issued
01 September 2011
Access level
open access
Resource Type
Journal
Author(s)
De Oliveira A.
Chavez J.
Ponce De Leon G.
Roberts J.
Marquino W.
Abstract
We evaluated the efficacy and effectiveness of mefloquine (MQ) plus artesunate (AS) to treat patients with uncomplicated malaria in the Peruvian Amazon Basin in April 2005.March 2006. Patients ≥1 year of age with fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C) or history of fever and Plasmodium falciparum monoinfection were included. Patients received antimalarial treatment with MQ (12.5 mg/kg/day for two days) and AS (4.0 mg/kg/day for three days) either by directly observed therapy or without directly observed therapy. After a 28-day follow-up, treatment efficacy and effectiveness were assessed on the basis of clinical and parasitologic outcomes. Ninety-six patients were enrolled in each study group; nine patients were lost to follow-up. All patients, except for one in the observed group, demonstrated adequate clinical and parasitologic response; none had detectable parasitemia on day 3. The efficacy of MQ + AS efficacy was 98.9% (95% confidence interval = 94.1.100.0%) and the effectiveness was 100.0% (95% confidence interval = 95.9.100.0%). Our study shows that MQ + AS is highly efficacious in the Peruvian Amazon. Copyright © 2011 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Start page
573
End page
578
Volume
85
Issue
3
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-80052803263
PubMed ID
Source
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Resource of which it is part
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN of the container
00029637
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus