Therapeutic efficacy and effects of artemether-lumefantrine and amodiaquine-sulfalene-pyrimethamine on gametocyte carriage in children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in southwestern Nigeria.
The treatment efficacy and effects of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and amodiaquine-sulfalene-pyrimethamine (ASP) on gametocyte carriage were evaluated in 181 children < or = 10 years of age with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria randomized to receive either drug combination. All children recovered clinically. Fever clearance times were similar. The rate of P. falciparum reappearance (recrudescence or re-infection) between two and six weeks after the start of therapy was significantly higher in AL-treated children (P = 0.01). Parasite clearance was significantly faster in children treated with AL (mean +/- SD = 1.7 +/- 0.6 days, 95% confidence interval = 1.58 - 1.83, P = 0.0001) but the polymerase chain reaction-corrected cure rate (90 of 91 versus 84 of 90) and the rate of resolution of malaria-related anemia two weeks after treatment began (45 of 50 versus 33 of 46) were higher in children treated with ASP. Gametocyte carriage rates were similar. Both regimens were well tolerated. Artemether-lumefantrine clears parasitemia more rapidly than ASP but both combinations are effective in treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Nigerian children.
Sowunmi
Akintunde
A
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Institute for Medical Research and Training, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. akinsowunmi@hotmail.com
Gbotosho
Grace O
GO
Happi
Christian T
CT
Adedeji
Ahmed A
AA
Fehintola
Fatai A
FA
Folarin
Onikepe A
OA
Tambo
Ernest
E
Fateye
Babasola A
BA
D000655:Amodiaquine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013415:Sulfalene / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000962:Antimalarials; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes; D000655:Amodiaquine; D013415:Sulfalene; D011739:Pyrimethamine