title: Prospective evaluation of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of non-falciparum and mixed-species malaria in Gabon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommendation of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria is supported by a plethora of high quality clinical trials. However, their recommendation for the treatment of mixed-species malaria and the large-scale use for the treatment of non-falciparum malaria in endemic regions is based on anecdotal rather than systematic clinical evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study prospectively observed the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated non-falciparum or mixed-species malaria in two routine district hospitals in the Central African country of Gabon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients suffering from uncomplicated Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale or mixed-species malaria (including Plasmodium falciparum) presenting at the hospital received artemether-lumefantrine treatment and were followed up. All evaluable patients (n=38) showed an adequate clinical and parasitological response on Day 28 after oral treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (95% confidence interval: 0.91,1). All adverse events were of mild to moderate intensity and completely resolved by the end of study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first systematic assessment of artemether-lumefantrine treatment for P. malariae, P. ovale and mixed-species malaria demonstrated a high cure rate of 100% and a favourable tolerability profile, and thus lends support to the practice of treating non-falciparum or mixed-species malaria, or all cases of malaria without definite species differentiation, with artemether-lumefantrine in Gabon.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00725777.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon.
authors.forename: Ghyslain
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mombo-Ngoma
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kleine
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basra
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Würbel
authors.forename: Daisy A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Diop
authors.forename: Mesküre
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capan
authors.forename: Ayola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adegnika
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mordmüller
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Joanny
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramharter
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bélard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010965:Plasmodium malariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041122:Plasmodium ovale / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes