Assessment of chloroquine single dose treatment of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax in Brazilian Amazon.
Malaria regions of the Amazon basin have been characterized by difficult access and non-compliance of the patients to treatment. In an attempt to assess the schizonticide efficacy of chloroquine in a single dose of 600 mg, the authors realized a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 132 outpatients with vivax malaria. Patients were distributed into two groups: group CPLA, given chloroquine 600 mg (single dose) on the first day of treatment, and two doses of placebo on second and third days. Group CHLO, given chloroquine 600 mg on first day and 450 mg on second and third day. Geometric means of the parasite density during the follow-up was similar in both groups. No differences were observed in the parasitological cure between the two groups (p = 0.442). There was clinical and parasitological efficacy in treatment of patients given a single-dose of chloroquine. This suggests that its restricted use could be indicated in remote areas of Brazilian Amazon Region, nevertheless the inadequate response of three patients indicates the need for further studies.
Pinto
Ana Yecê das Neves
AY
Programa de Ensaios Clínicos em Malária, Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brasil. ayece@iec.pa.gov.br
Azevedo
Carolina Heitmann
CH
da Silva
Janaína Bezerra
JB
de Souza
José Maria
JM
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001938:Brazil; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male
D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine