TREATMENT OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA WITH 3-DAY ARTESUNATE MEFLOQUINE COMBINATION

Studies of 652 adults and children with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria were done to determine the optimum treatment of multidrug-res istant Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the Thai-Burmese border. Singl e-dose artesunate (4 mg/kg) plus mefloquine (25 mg of base/kg) gave mo re rapid symptomatic and parasitologic responses than high-dose mefloq uine alone but did not improve cure rates. Three days of artesunate (t otal dose, 10 mg/kg) plus mefloquine was 98% effective compared with a 28-day failure rate of 31% with high-dose mefloquine alone (relative risk [RR], 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.2; P <.0001). By day 63, the reinfection adjusted failure rates were 2% and 44%, respe ctively (P <.0001). Artesunate also prevented high-grade failures. Bot h drugs were well tolerated. No adverse effects were attributable to a rtesunate. Vomiting was reduced significantly by giving mefloquine on day 2 of treatment (RR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20-0.79; P =.009. Artesunate ( 10 mg/kg over 3 days) plus mefloquine (25 mg/kg) is currently the most effective treatment for falciparum malaria in this area of increasing mefloquine resistance.