A prospective study evaluating the efficacy of a single, 45-mg dose of primaquine, as a gametocytocidal agent, in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mumbai, India.

Abstract

The efficacy of a single dose of 45 mg primaquine, as a gametocytocidal agent, was assessed in Mumbai, India, among adults with uncomplicated or severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. All the patients investigated had been found gametocytaemic, with at least 56 gametocytes/microl blood, within the first 72 h of their illness. Those with uncomplicated malaria, like those with severe malaria, were randomized to receive or not receive primaquine. All the patients were followed up for 29 days post-admission, for gametocytaemia and gametocyte viability (as determined by exflagellation). Among those with uncomplicated malaria, six (27.3%) of the 22 who did not receive primaquine but only one (4.2%) of the 24 who did receive the drug, on day 4, remained gametocytaemic on day 29 (P < 0.05). Similarly, seven (31.8%) of the 22 severe cases who did not receive primaquine but only two (9.5%) of the 21 severe cases who received the drug, on day 8, were found gametocytaemic on day 15 (P < 0.05). While the single, 45-mg dose of primaquine recommended by the World Health Organization was effective in clearing gametocytes from the blood of > 90% of the present cases of malaria, > 4% of the patients with uncomplicated malaria and > 9% of those with the severe disease continued to harbour gametocytes in their peripheral blood 29 and 15 days after taking the primaquine, respectively.

• Authors: K D Kamtekar, N J Gogtay, S S Dalvi, D R Karnad, A R Chogle, U Aigal, N A Kshirsagar
• Journal: Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology (Ann Trop Med Parasitol) Vol. 98 Issue 5 Pg. 453-8 (Jul 2004) ISSN: 0003-4983 [Print] England
• PMID: 15257794 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Chemical References

• Antimalarials
• Chloroquine
• Quinine
• Primaquine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Antimalarials (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chloroquine (therapeutic use)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Malaria, Falciparum (drug therapy, parasitology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parasitemia (drug therapy)
• Primaquine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Quinine (therapeutic use)