[Revaluation of chloroquine therapeutic efficacy on children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in eastern Ivory Coast (1999-2002)].
OBJECTIVE
A prospective study was made from November 1999 to May 2002 in order to revaluate the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine in pediatric Plamodium falciparum malaria in Ivory Coast.


METHODS
This study was included in the national Plasmodium falciparum-susceptibility supervision program. Two hundred and fifty-six out of 594 patients from six to 59 months of age were included. Chloroquine was administered in accordance with the standard 14 day WHO protocol; i.e. administered dose of 25 mg/kg, in split doses, over three days.


RESULTS
Two hundred and forty-seven patients completed the treatment. Among these, 217 presented with adequate clinical response (87.8%). The percentage of therapeutic failure was 12.2% with 12 early cases of therapeutic failure and 18 late cases of therapeutic failure. Chloroquine was more efficacious in Agnibilékrou (11.3% of therapeutic failure), Bondoukou (10.4%), and Tanda (10%), than in Abengourou (16.4%). Parasitic reduction on patients with resistant Plasmodium was superior to 90%, from day 0 to day 3. The risk of therapeutic failure was significantly linked to patient age.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering these results, the authors suggest that the first-line treatment with chloroquine must be continued for uncomplicated malaria in humans.
Adoubryn
K D
KD
Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, UFR des sciences médicales, BP V166 Abidjan, Côte-d'Ivoire. kadoubryn@hotmail.com
Ouhon
J
J
Yapo
C G
CG
N'guettia
K S
KS
Kouakou
K A E
KA
Adou
S J
SJ
Kouabenan
A
A
Assoumou
A
A
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine