IngentaConnect Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-me...

Authors: Stohrer, Jörg M.¹; Dittrich, Sabine¹; Thongpaseuth, Vonthalom²; Vanisaveth, Viengxay²; Phetsouvanh, Rattanaxay²; Phompida, Samlane²; Monti, Feliciano³; Christophel, Eva-Maria⁴; Lindegardh, Niklas; Annerberg, Anna; Jelinek, Tomas¹

Source: Tropical Medicine & International Health, Volume 9, Number 11, November 2004 , pp. 1175-1183(9)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Summary

The efficacy of the six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine was compared with the combination of artesunate and mefloquine in a randomised, comparative trial in Luang Namtha Province, Northern Laos. Of 1033 screened patients, 201 were positive for Plasmodium falciparum; 108 patients of all age groups (2-66 years) with acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled in the study, 100 of whom were followed-up for 42 days. Fifty-three patients received artemether-lumefantrine and 55 received artesunante-mefloquine. Both drug combinations induced rapid clearance of parasites and malaria symptoms; there was no significant difference in the initial therapeutic response parameters. Both regimes were well tolerated. After 42 days, cure rates were 93.6% (95% CI = 82.5-98.7%; 44 of 47 patients) for artemether-lumefantrine and 100% (95% CI = 93.3-100.0%; 53 of 53 patients) for artesunate-mefloquine. The results show the excellent efficacy and tolerability of both artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine in Northern Laos.

Keywords: malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; Lao PDR; artemether-lumefantrine; artesunate-mefloquine; efficacy

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01320.x

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Charité, Berlin, Germany 2: Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Vientiane, Lao PDE 3: WHO Office Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR 4: WHO Western Pacific Region Office, Manila, Philippines

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Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Luang Namtha Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic