FALCIPARUM-MALARIA TREATED WITH A CHLOROQUINE SUSPENSION ADMINISTEREDRECTALLY IN TRINIDAD

A new mode of administering malaria chemotherapy to patients unable to tolerate oral medication is described. A patient with Plasmodium falc iparum malaria, severe hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia who regurgitated oral treatment of chloroquine phosphate and pyrimethamine and sulfado xine (Fansidar) is presented But neither chloroquine nor quinine intra venous formulations were available locally. As the patient was deterio rating, a suspension of chloroquine phosphate was prepared and adminis tered rectally, resulting in a decline in the level of parasitaemia fr om ++++ to ++ within 48 hours. The patient improved, and further clini cal management was uncomplicated.