Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Luang Namtha Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The efficacy of the six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine was compared with the combination of artesunate and mefloquine in a randomised, comparative trial in Luang Namtha Province, Northern Laos. Of 1033 screened patients, 201 were positive for Plasmodium falciparum; 108 patients of all age groups (2-66 years) with acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled in the study, 100 of whom were followed-up for 42 days. Fifty-three patients received artemether-lumefantrine and 55 received artesunante-mefloquine. Both drug combinations induced rapid clearance of parasites and malaria symptoms; there was no significant difference in the initial therapeutic response parameters. Both regimes were well tolerated. After 42 days, cure rates were 93.6% (95% CI = 82.5-98.7%; 44 of 47 patients) for artemether-lumefantrine and 100% (95% CI = 93.3-100.0%; 53 of 53 patients) for artesunate-mefloquine. The results show the excellent efficacy and tolerability of both artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine in Northern Laos.
Stohrer
Jörg M
JM
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Charité, Berlin, Germany.
Dittrich
Sabine
S
Thongpaseuth
Vonthalom
V
Vanisaveth
Viengxay
V
Phetsouvanh
Rattanaxay
R
Phompida
Samlane
S
Monti
Feliciano
F
Christophel
Eva-Maria
EM
Lindegardh
Niklas
N
Annerberg
Anna
A
Jelinek
Tomas
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077549:Artemether; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077332:Artesunate; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078102:Lumefantrine; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; D000077549:Artemether; D000078102:Lumefantrine; D015767:Mefloquine