Comparison of artesunate and chloroquine activities against Plasmodium vivax gametocytes.
The gametocidal activities of chloroquine and artesunate were compared. The relative risk (RR) of having detectable gametocytes appear after treatment initiation was lower in artesunate-treated patients (n = 792) than in chloroquine-treated patients (n = 695) (RR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.2 to 0.40; P < 0.0001). The duration and magnitude of gametocyte carriage were also lower for artesunate than chloroquine. By reducing the transmission of Plasmodium vivax to the vector, artesunate could therefore reduce the incidence of P. vivax malaria.
Nacher
Mathieu
M
Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Avenue des Flamboyants, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana. m_nacher@lycos.com
Silachamroon
Udomsak
U
Singhasivanon
Pratap
P
Wilairatana
Polrat
P
Phumratanaprapin
Weerapong
W
Fontanet
Arnaud
A
Looareesuwan
Sornchai
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077332:Artesunate; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; D002738:Chloroquine