-
Malaria Journal Jul 2017Ethiopia is among countries with a high malaria burden. There are several studies that assessed the efficacy of anti-malarial agents in the country and this systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ethiopia is among countries with a high malaria burden. There are several studies that assessed the efficacy of anti-malarial agents in the country and this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to obtain stronger evidence on treatment outcomes of malaria from the existing literature in Ethiopia.
METHODS
A systematic literature search using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement was conducted on studies from Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases to identify published and unpublished literature. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to perform all meta-analyses. The Cochrane Q and the I were used to evaluate heterogeneity of studies. Random effects model was used to combine studies showing heterogeneity of Cochrane Q p < 0.10 and I > 50.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis with a total number of 3123 study participants. Treatment outcomes were assessed clinically and parasitologically using World Health Organization guidelines. Adequate clinical and parasitological response was used to assess treatment success at the 28th day. Overall, a significant high treatment success of 92.9% (95% CI 89.1-96.6), p < 0.001, I = 98.39% was noticed. However, treatment success was higher in falciparum malaria patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine than chloroquine for Plasmodium vivax patients [98.1% (97.0-99.2), p < 0.001, I = 72.55 vs 94.7% (92.6-96.2), p < 0.001, I = 53.62%]. Seven studies reported the adverse drug reactions to anti-malarial treatment; of 822 participants, 344 of them were exposed to adverse drug reactions with a pooled event rate of 39.8% (14.1-65.5), p = 0.002.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of this review, anti-malarial treatment success was high (92.9%) and standard regimens showed good efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum (98.1%) and P. vivax (94.7%) infections in Ethiopia, but associated with high rates of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, these ADRs were not serious enough to discontinue anti-malarial treatment. The results of this study suggest that the current anti-malarial medications are effective and safe; however, greater priority should be placed on the discovery of new anti-malarial drugs to achieve successful outcomes as resistance seems inevitable since cases of anti-malarial drug resistance have been reported from other areas of the world.
Topics: Antimalarials; Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; Artemisinins; Chloroquine; Drug Combinations; Ethanolamines; Ethiopia; Fluorenes; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Primaquine; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadoxine; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28673348
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1922-9 -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Aug 2014Plasmodium vivax radical cure requires the use of primaquine (PQ), a drug that induces haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) individuals,... (Review)
Review
Plasmodium vivax radical cure requires the use of primaquine (PQ), a drug that induces haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) individuals, which further hampers malaria control efforts. The aim of this work was to study the G6PDd prevalence and variants in Latin America (LA) and the Caribbean region. A systematic search of the published literature was undertaken in August 2013. Bibliographies of manuscripts were also searched and additional references were identified. Low prevalence rates of G6PDd were documented in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, but studies from Curaçao, Ecuador, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad, as well as some surveys carried out in areas of Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, have shown a high prevalence (> 10%) of G6PDd. The G6PD A-202A mutation was the variant most broadly distributed across LA and was identified in 81.1% of the deficient individuals surveyed. G6PDd is a frequent phenomenon in LA, although certain Amerindian populations may not be affected, suggesting that PQ could be safely used in these specific populations. Population-wide use of PQ as part of malaria elimination strategies in LA cannot be supported unless a rapid, accurate and field-deployable G6PDd diagnostic test is made available.
Topics: Antimalarials; Caribbean Region; Contraindications; Female; Geographic Mapping; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Hemolysis; Humans; Latin America; Malaria, Vivax; Male; Prevalence; Primaquine
PubMed: 25141282
DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140123 -
Malaria Journal Oct 2011During pregnancy, malaria infection with Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax is related to adverse maternal health and poor birth outcomes. Diagnosis of malaria,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
During pregnancy, malaria infection with Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax is related to adverse maternal health and poor birth outcomes. Diagnosis of malaria, during pregnancy, is complicated by the absence or low parasite densities in peripheral blood. Diagnostic methods, other than microscopy, are needed for detection of placental malaria. Therefore, the diagnostic accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), detecting antigen, and molecular techniques (PCR), detecting DNA, for the diagnosis of Plasmodium infections in pregnancy was systematically reviewed.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of RDTs, PCR, microscopy of peripheral and placental blood and placental histology for the detection of malaria infection (all species) in pregnant women.
RESULTS
The results of 49 studies were analysed in metandi (Stata), of which the majority described P. falciparum infections. Although both placental and peripheral blood microscopy cannot reliably replace histology as a reference standard for placental P. falciparum infection, many studies compared RDTs and PCR to these tests. The proportion of microscopy positives in placental blood (sensitivity) detected by peripheral blood microscopy, RDTs and PCR are respectively 72% [95% CI 62-80], 81% [95% CI 55-93] and 94% [95% CI 86-98]. The proportion of placental blood microscopy negative women that were negative in peripheral blood microscopy, RDTs and PCR (specificity) are 98% [95% CI 95-99], 94% [95% CI 76-99] and 77% [95% CI 71-82]. Based on the current data, it was not possible to determine if the false positives in RDTs and PCR are caused by sequestered parasites in the placenta that are not detected by placental microscopy.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that RDTs and PCR may have good performance characteristics to serve as alternatives for the diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy, besides any other limitations and practical considerations concerning the use of these tests. Nevertheless, more studies with placental histology as reference test are urgently required to reliably determine the accuracy of RDTs and PCR for the diagnosis of placental malaria. P. vivax-infections have been neglected in diagnostic test accuracy studies of malaria in pregnancy.
Topics: Antigens, Protozoan; DNA, Protozoan; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Microscopy; Parasitemia; Placenta; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
PubMed: 22035448
DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-321 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2022To elucidate the relationship between CYP2D6 polymorphisms and Plasmodium vivax recurrence in patients receiving primaquine-based treatment through systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To elucidate the relationship between CYP2D6 polymorphisms and Plasmodium vivax recurrence in patients receiving primaquine-based treatment through systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for eligible studies published up to August of 2021. We included studies investigating the associations between CYP2D6 polymorphisms and P. vivax recurrence. We evaluated the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Data from nine studies, including 970 patients, were analyzed. We found that CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PMs), intermediate metabolizers (IMs), or normal metabolizers slow (NM-Ss) were associated with a 1.8-fold (95% CI, 1.34-2.45; P = 0.0001) higher recurrence of P. vivax than normal metabolizers fast (NM-Fs), extensive metabolizers (EMs), or ultrarapid metabolizer (UMs). Subgroup analysis showed that studies on both Brazilian and Southeast or East Asian individuals had similar results to the main results. Sensitivity analysis by sequentially excluding individual studies also showed robust results (OR range: 1.63-2.01).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis confirmed that CYP2D6 PMs, IMs, or NM-Ss increased the risk of P. vivax recurrence compared to NM-Fs, EMs, or UMs. The results of this study could be used to predict P. vivax recurrence and suggest CYP2D6 genotype-based primaquine dosing.
Topics: Antimalarials; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; Genotype; Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Plasmodium vivax; Primaquine; Recurrence
PubMed: 35452835
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102333 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2020Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to detect malaria parasites among patients who suspected malaria infections in malaria-endemic areas where... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Summary of discordant results between rapid diagnosis tests, microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction for detecting Plasmodium mixed infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to detect malaria parasites among patients who suspected malaria infections in malaria-endemic areas where microscopy is unavailable. Nevertheless, little is known about the performance of RDTs in detecting Plasmodium mixed infections. The present study aimed to evaluate the discordant results between RDTs and microscopy/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting Plasmodium mixed infections. The PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically reviewed to identify related studies that reported the performance of RDTs in detecting Plasmodium mixed infections. Studies were grouped according to the different RDT types including RDT type 2 (pf-HRP2/pan-aldolase), RDT type 3 (pf-HRP2/pan-pLDH), RDT type 4 (Pf-LDH/pan-pLDH), RDT type 5 (Pf/Pv-pLDH), and RDT type 6 (pf-HRP2/Pv-pLDH) for subgroup analysis. The estimates of the different proportions in each analysis group that were visually summarized in a forest plot showed the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Plots were drawn using RevMan (version 5.3; Cochrane Community). Twenty-eight studies were included in the present study. Overall, the meta-analysis showed that RDTs could detect a significantly higher proportion of Plasmodium mixed infections than microscopy (p = 0.0007, OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.66-6.68). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that only RDTs targeting Pf-specific histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)/pan-specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) could detect a significantly higher proportion of Plasmodium mixed infections than microscopy (p = 0.004, OR = 8.46, 95% CI 2.75-26.1). The subgroup analysis between RDTs and PCR methods demonstrated that RDTs targeting Pf-specific HRP2/Pv-specific LDH could detect a significantly lower proportion of Plasmodium mixed infections than PCR methods (p = 0.0005, OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.68). This is the first study to summarize the discordant results between RDTs and microscopy/PCR in detecting Plasmodium mixed infections. Malaria RDTs targeting Pf-HRP2/pan-pLDH could detect a higher proportion of Plasmodium mixed infections than microscopy, while RDTs targeting Pf-HRP2/Pv-specific LDH could detect a lower proportion of Plasmodium mixed infections than PCR methods. The results of this study will support the selection and careful interpretations of RDTs for a better diagnosis of Plasmodium mixed-species infections and appropriate treatment of malaria patients in endemic and non-endemic settings.
Topics: Antigens, Protozoan; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Microscopy; Odds Ratio; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protozoan Proteins; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 32728145
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69647-y -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2021In 2018, tafenoquine was approved for malaria chemoprophylaxis. We evaluated all available data on the safety and efficacy of tafenoquine chemoprophylaxis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In 2018, tafenoquine was approved for malaria chemoprophylaxis. We evaluated all available data on the safety and efficacy of tafenoquine chemoprophylaxis.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019123839). We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Two authors (JDM, PS) screened all papers.
RESULTS
We included 44 papers in the qualitative and 9 in the quantitative analyses. These 9 randomized, controlled trials included 2495 participants, aged 12-60 years with 27.3% women. Six studies were conducted in Plasmodium spp.-endemic regions; two were human infection studies. 200 mg weekly tafenoquine and higher dosages lead to a significant reduction of Plasmodium spp. infection compared to placebo and were comparable to 250 mg mefloquine weekly with a protective efficacy between 77.9 and 100% or a total risk ratio of 0.22 (95%-CI: 0.07-0.73; p = 0.013) in favour of tafenoquine. Adverse events (AE) were comparable in frequency and severity between tafenoquine and comparator arms. One study reported significantly more gastrointestinal events in tafenoquine users (p ≤ 0.001). Evidence of increased, reversible, asymptomatic vortex keratopathy in subjects with prolonged tafenoquine exposures was found. A single, serious event of decreased macular sensitivity occurred.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis of trials of G6PD-normal adults show that weekly tafenoquine 200 mg is well tolerated and effective as malaria chemoprophylaxis focusing primarily on Plasmodium falciparum but also on Plasmodium vivax. Our safety analysis is limited by heterogenous methods of adverse events reporting. Further research is indicated on the use of tafenoquine in diverse traveller populations.
Topics: Adult; Aminoquinolines; Antimalarials; Chemoprevention; Female; Humans; Malaria; Male
PubMed: 33227500
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101908 -
Malaria Journal Nov 2014Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is recommended as first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whereas chloroquine is still commonly used... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is recommended as first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whereas chloroquine is still commonly used for the treatment of non-falciparum species (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae). A more simplified, more uniform treatment approach across all malaria species is worthwhile to be considered both in endemic areas and for malaria as an imported condition alike.
METHODS
A PROSPERO-registered systematic review to determine the efficacy and safety of ACT for the treatment of non-falciparum malaria was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines. Without language restrictions, Medline/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, LILACS, Biosis Previews and the African Index Medicus were searched for studies published up to November 2014.
RESULTS
The literature search identified 986 reports; 40 publications were found eligible for inclusion, all of them on non-falciparum malaria in endemic areas. Most evidence was available for P. vivax (n = 35). Five clinical trials in total were identified evaluating ACT for P. ovale, P. malariae and Plasmodium knowlesi. Most ACT presentations have high efficacy against P. vivax parasites; artemisinin-based combinations have shorter parasite and fever clearance times compared to chloroquine. ACT is as effective as chloroquine in preventing recurrent parasitaemia before day 28. Artemisinin-based combinations with long half-lives show significantly fewer recurrent parasitaemia up to day 63. The limited evidence available supports both the use of chloroquine and an ACT for P. ovale and P. malariae. ACT seems to be preferable for optimal treatment of P. knowlesi.
CONCLUSION
ACT is at least equivalent to chloroquine in effectively treating non-falciparum malaria. These findings may facilitate development of simplified protocols for treating all forms of malaria with ACT, including returning travellers. Obtaining comprehensive efficacy and safety data on ACT use for non-falciparum species particularly for P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi should be a research priority.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
CRD42014009103.
Topics: Antimalarials; Artemisinins; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Malaria; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25428624
DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-463 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2003Four types of malaria vaccine, SPf66 and MSP/RESA vaccines (against the asexual stages of the Plasmodium parasite) and CS-NANP and RTS,S vaccines (against the sporozoite... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Four types of malaria vaccine, SPf66 and MSP/RESA vaccines (against the asexual stages of the Plasmodium parasite) and CS-NANP and RTS,S vaccines (against the sporozoite stages), have been tested in randomized controlled trials in endemic areas.
OBJECTIVES
To assess malaria vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P ovale in preventing infection, disease and death.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register (July 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to July 2002), EMBASE (1980 to May 2002), Science Citation Index (1981 to July 2002), and reference lists of articles. We also contacted organizations and researchers in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials comparing vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae or P. ovale with placebo or routine antimalarial control measures in people of any age receiving a challenge malaria infection.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
Eighteen efficacy trials involving 10,971 participants were included. There were ten trials of SPf66 vaccine, four trials of CS-NANP vaccines, two trials of RTS,S vaccine, and two of MSP/RESA vaccine. Results with SPf66 in reducing new malaria infections (P. falciparum) were heterogeneous: it was not effective in four African trials (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81 to 1.14), but in five trials outside Africa the number of first attacks was reduced (Peto OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.88). Trials to date have not indicated any serious adverse events with SPf66 vaccine. In three trials of CS-NANP vaccines, there was no evidence for protection by these vaccines against P. falciparum malaria (Peto OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.93). In a small trial in non-immune adults in the USA, RTS,S gave strong protection against experimental infection with P. falciparum. In a trial in an endemic area of the Gambia in semi-immune people, there was a reduction in clinical malaria episodes in the second year of follow up, corresponding to a vaccine efficacy of 66% (CI 14% to 85%). In a trial in Papua New Guinea, MSP/RESA had no protective effect against episodes of clinical malaria. There was evidence of an effect on parasite density, but this differed according to whether the participants had been pretreated with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine or not. The prevalence of infections with the parasite subtype of MSP2 in the vaccine was reduced compared with the other subtype (Peto OR 0.35, CI 0.23 to 0.53).
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence for protection by SPf66 vaccines against P. falciparum in Africa. There is a modest reduction in attacks of P. falciparum malaria following vaccination with SPf66 in other regions. Further research with SPf66 vaccines in South America or with new formulations of SPf66 may be justified. There was not enough evidence to evaluate the use of CS-NANP vaccines. The RTS,S vaccine showed promising result, as did the MSP/RESA vaccine, but it should include the other main allelic form of MSP2. The MSP/RESA trial demonstrated that chemotherapy during a vaccine trial may reduce vaccine efficacy, and trials should consider very carefully whether this practice is justified.
Topics: Adult; Antigens, Protozoan; Humans; Malaria; Malaria Vaccines; Malaria, Falciparum; Protozoan Proteins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recombinant Proteins; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 12535387
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000129 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Apr 2024Several temperate countries have used mass chemoprevention interventions with medicines of the 8-aminoquinoline class that prevent relapses from Plasmodium vivax before...
Several temperate countries have used mass chemoprevention interventions with medicines of the 8-aminoquinoline class that prevent relapses from Plasmodium vivax before peak transmission to reduce transmission of malaria. The WHO commissioned a systematic review of the literature and evidence synthesis to inform development of recommendations regarding this intervention referred to as "mass relapse prevention" (MRP). Electronic databases were searched, 866 articles screened, and 25 assessed for eligibility after a full-text review. Two nonrandomized studies were included, one from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (391,357 participants) and the second from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (∼30,000 participants). The two studies administered a single round of primaquine over 14 days (0.25 mg/kg per day). From 1 to 3 months after the treatment round, the incidence of P. vivax infections was significantly lower in areas that received MRP than those that did not (pooled rate ratio [RR] 0.08, 95% CI 0.07-0.08). At 4 to 12 months after the treatment round, the prevalence of P. vivax infection was significantly lower in MRP villages than non-MRP villages (odds ratio 0.12, 95% CI 0.03-0.52). No severe adverse events were found. The certainty of evidence for all outcomes was very low and no conclusions as to the effectiveness or safety of MRP could be drawn. However, it is not likely that this intervention will be needed in the future as most temperate countries where P. vivax is transmitted are nearing or have already eliminated malaria.
Topics: Humans; Antimalarials; Plasmodium vivax; Secondary Prevention; Primaquine; Malaria, Vivax; Recurrence
PubMed: 38118171
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0727 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2011Plasmodium vivax is an important cause of malaria in many parts of Asia and South America, and resistance to the standard treatment (chloroquine) is now high in some... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Plasmodium vivax is an important cause of malaria in many parts of Asia and South America, and resistance to the standard treatment (chloroquine) is now high in some parts of Oceania. This review aims to assess the current treatment options in the light of rising chloroquine resistance.
OBJECTIVES
To compare Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) with alternative antimalarial regimens for treating acute uncomplicated P.vivax malaria.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Disease Group Specialized Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; EMBASE; LILACS and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) using "vivax" and "arte* OR dihydroarte*" as search terms.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials comparing ACTs versus standard therapy, or comparing alternative ACTs, in adults and children with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently assessed trials for eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. Recurrent parasitaemia prior to day 28 was taken as a proxy for effective treatment of the blood stage parasite, and drugs compared using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Trials following patients for longer than 28 days were used to assess the duration of the post-treatment prophylactic effect of ACTs. The quality of evidence has been assessed using the GRADE methodology.
MAIN RESULTS
ACTs vs chloroquineIn settings where chloroquine remains effective, ACTs are equivalent at preventing recurrent parasitemias before day 28 (four trials, 1185 participants; RR 1, 95% CI 0.30 to 3.39, high quality evidence).ACT combinations with long half-lives are probably superior to chloroquine over six to eight weeks follow-up, with significantly fewer recurrent episodes 0 after day 28 (two trials, 668 participants, RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.76, moderate quality evidence). It is not clear if this effect is still present if primaquine is given.Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine versus alternative ACTsDihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is the most studied ACT for the treatment of P. vivax. In high transmission settings it is probably superior to artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and artesunate plus amodiaquine at preventing recurrent parasitemias before day 28 (three trials, 334 participants, RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.49, moderate quality evidence).This advantage with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine may last for at least six weeks even when primaquine is also given to achieve radical cure; with fewer recurrent parasitemias occurring between day 28 and day 42 (two trials, 179 participants, RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.46, low quality evidence).The data available from low transmission settings is too limited to make conclusions about the relative effectiveness of ACTs.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
ACTs appear at least equivalent to chloroquine at effectively treating the blood stage P. vivax infection. Even where chloroquine remains effective this finding may allow for simplified protocols treating all forms of malaria with ACTs.Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine may provide a longer period of post-treatment prophylaxis than artemether-lumefantrine or artesunate plus amodiaquine, which is likely to be a function of the long elimination half-life of piperaquine. This effect may be clinically important in high transmission settings whether primaquine is also given or not.
Topics: Antimalarials; Artemisinins; Drug Resistance; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Malaria, Vivax; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 21735431
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008492.pub2