[Comparison on treatment of falciparum malaria with different courses of artesunate tablet].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of Artesunate on falciparum malaria.


METHODS
A randomized controlled study on the treatment of 90 uncomplicated falciparum malaria patients was carried out with 400 mg of artesunate tablet as a total dose over 3 days, 600 mg over 5 days and 800 mg over 7 days.


RESULTS
All patients were cured. Fever clearance time (FCT) and parasite clearance time(PCT) among the three groups were similar. Parasite recrudescence rate within 28 days was 39.3% (11/ 28) in 3 day group, 6.9% (2/29) in 5 day group and 3.4% (1/29) in 7 day group (comparing 5 day group with 3 day group, P < 0.005, comparing 7 day group with 3 day group, P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
It indicated that parasite recrudescence rate may be effectively decreased by prolonging treatment courses.
Li
G Q
GQ
Tropical Medicine Institute, Guangzhou University of Traiditional Chinese Medicine.
Fu
Y X
YX
Bian
W X
WX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013607:Tablets
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013607:Tablets; D000077332:Artesunate