In vivo efficacy study of quinine sulphate in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in patients from Southwestern Cameroon.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical, parasitological and haematological responses to quinine sulphate therapy in patients with uncomplicated malaria using the 14-day WHO protocol.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
The Buea Provincial hospital annex located in South Western Cameroon.


METHODS
The study participants consisted of children (> or = 8 months) and adults (< or = 550 years) with acute malaria attending the outpatient division of health institutions within Fako Division.


RESULTS
Quinine sulphate failure was found in 42% of the patients. Of these 10% were resistant at the RI while 32% were at the RII level. Clinically, the overall success rate (ACR) was 94.2% while therapeutic failures (ETF and LTF) were observed in four patients (5.8%). 27.4% and 17.4% of the patients were anaemic at enrolment and day 14 respectively. The mean PCV levels of the patients increased during the follow-up period except on day three when mean PCV levels dropped. The difference in the mean PCV levels during the follow-up was significant (F = 60.29; P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The relatively high resistance of quinine sulphate observed in this study suggests the need to monitor the spread of resistance to this drug in the study region.
Achidi
E A
EA
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, Cameroon.
Ajua
A
A
Kimbi
H K
HK
Sinju
C M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D011803:Quinine