title: Comparison of artesunate and chloroquine activities against Plasmodium vivax gametocytes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Avenue des Flamboyants, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana. m_nacher@lycos.com
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nacher
authors.forename: Udomsak
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Silachamroon
authors.forename: Pratap
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singhasivanon
authors.forename: Polrat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilairatana
authors.forename: Weerapong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Phumratanaprapin
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fontanet
authors.forename: Sornchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Looareesuwan
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; D002738:Chloroquine