TREATMENT OF CHLOROQUINE-RESISTANT PLASMODIUM-VIVAX WITH CHLOROQUINE AND PRIMAQUINE OR HALOFANTRINE

Optimal therapy for infection by chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium viva x has not been established, From 1992 to 1994 during three separate st udies, 147 Javanese residents of Irian Jaya infected by P, vivax were treated with either chloroquine (25 mg of base/kg during 3 days or 10 mg of base/kg in one dose) plus primaquine (10 mg/kg during 28 days or 2.5 mg/kg during 3 days) (n = 78), chloroquine plus placebo (n = 50), or halofantrine (24 mg base/kg in 12 h; 12 = 19), There was no differ ence in tolerance to or side effects of any of the regimens, Within 14 days of starting therapy, therapeutic failure among these patients wa s 44% for chloroquine, 5% for chloroquine plus primaquine (P < .001), and 0 for halofantrine (P < .001), After 28 days, therapeutic failure was 78%, 15%, and 6%, respectively, Thus, chloroquine plus primaquine in combination and halofantrine alone are effective therapies for chlo roquine-resistant P. vivax.