title: Efficacy of oral single dose therapy with artemisinin-naphthoquine phosphate in uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
abstract: All artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), recommended by the World Health Organization, are 3-day regimens. A considerable level of non-compliance on ACTs has been reported from some countries. The study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of single dose treatment with new generation ACT containing artemisinin plus naphthoquine. An oral single dose of eight tablets (400 mg of naphthoquine+1000 mg artemisinin) of the combination drug was administered to adult uncomplicated falciparum malaria patients. Observations of fever, parasite clearance and reappearance, and other clinical manifestations were made on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Fifty-three adult falciparum positive cases, with fever or history of fever within the previous 24 h, were included in the final evaluation of the study. Mean fever clearance time, parasite clearance time were 18.2+/-8.6 h and 34.6+/-14.3 h, respectively. Adequate clinical and parasitological response was achieved in 52 cases, the rate being 98.1% (95% CI, 91.1-99.9). One patient was classified as late parasitological failure because of the reappearance of falciparum parasite on Day 14. The drug was well tolerated and no adverse reactions were detected in the patients. Since it is a single dose therapy, health workers can administer the drug as directly observed treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research (Upper Myanmar), Anisakhan, Pyin Oo Lwin 05062, Mandalay Division, Myanmar. theintundmr@gmail.com
authors.forename: Thein
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tun
authors.forename: Hla Soe
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tint
authors.forename: Khin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Thar Tun
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Kyaw
authors.forename: Moe Kyaw
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: Win
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Khaing
authors.forename: Zaw Win
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Tun
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018512:Parasitemia; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D009285:Naphthoquinones; C543979:artemisinin-naphthoquine combination; C031327:artemisinin