title: The efficacy of combined mefloquine-artesunate versus mefloquine-primaquine on subsequent development of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia.
abstract: An open randomized controlled study of mefloquine-artesunate and mefloquine-primaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria was carried out in Kanchanaburi in the Saiyok District in western Thailand. Weekly parasite counts from thick and thin blood films were done for six weeks. The gametocyte carriage rate was calculated and compared between the two treatment groups. Gametocytes on presentation, recrudescent infection, and reinfection were the significant factors associated with subsequent development of gametocytemia. It is the increased propensity of recrudescent infections to produce gametocytes that drives drug resistance. The results of this study confirmed that the complete eradication of a sexual forms of P. falciparum by effective antimalarial treatment, but not by combination treatment with primaquine, is the most effective means to prevent subsequent gametocytemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siysp@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Yupin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suputtamongkol
authors.forename: Supat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chindarat
authors.forename: Saowalak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silpasakorn
authors.forename: Suchada
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaikachonpatd
authors.forename: Kimheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Kittiporn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chanthapakajee
authors.forename: Naparat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaewkaukul
authors.forename: Visanu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thamlikitkul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077332:Artesunate; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects; D011319:Primaquine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; D011319:Primaquine; D015767:Mefloquine