Title
Uncomplicated clinical malaria features, the efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine and their relation with multiplicity of infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Date Issued
01 June 2016
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Mavoko H.M.
Kalabuanga M.
Maketa V.
Mukele R.
Fungula B.
Inocêncio Da Luz R.
Rosanas-Urgell A.
Lutumba P.
Van Geertruyden J.P.
Universidad de Amberes
Publisher(s)
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Background: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) is the first-line medication recommended for uncomplicated malaria treatment. We conducted a study in Kinshasa to describe the clinical features of the disease and assess the efficacy of ASAQ and its impact on the multiplicity of infection in children with uncomplicated malaria. Methods: Children aged 12 to 59 months with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were treated with ASAQ and followed up passively for 42 days. To distinguish new infections from recrudescent parasites, samples were genotyped using a stepwise strategy with three molecular markers (GLURP, MSP2 and MSP1). We then assessed PCR-corrected and -uncorrected day-42 cure rates and multiplicity of infection (MOI). Results: In total, 2,796 patients were screened and 865 enrolled in the study. Clinical features were characterized by history of fever (100%), coryza (59.9%) and weakness (59.4%). The crude and PCR-corrected efficacies of ASAQ were 55.3% (95%CI: 51.8-58.8) and 92.8% (95% CI: 91.0-94.6) respectively, as 83.6% (95%CI: 79.1-87.2) of the recurrences were new infections. Compared to monoclonal infections, polyclonal infections were more frequent at enrollment (88.1%) and in recurrences (80.1%; p = 0.005; OR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.20-2.8). The median MOI at enrollment (MOI = 3.7; IQR: 0.7-6.7) decreased to 3 (IQR: 1-5) in the recurrent samples (p<0.001). Patients infected with a single haplotype on day 0 had no recrudescence; the risk of recrudescence increased by 28% with each additional haplotype (HR: 1.3, 95%CI: 1.24-1.44). Conclusion: The PCR-corrected efficacy of ASAQ at day 42 was 92.8%, but crude efficacy was relatively poor due to high reinfection rates. Treatment outcomes were positively correlated with MOI. Continued monitoring of the efficacy of ACTs - ASAQ, in this case - is paramount. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01374581.
Volume
11
Issue
6
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Medicina tropical
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84975463547
PubMed ID
Source
PLoS ONE
ISSN of the container
19326203
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus