RT Journal Article
T1 Impact of using artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria from Plasmodium falciparum in a non-endemic zone.
A1 Pousibet-Puerto, Joaquín
A1 Salas-Coronas, Joaquín
A1 Sánchez-Crespo, Alicia
A1 Molina-Arrebola, M Angustias
A1 Soriano-Pérez, Manuel J
A1 Giménez-López, M José
A1 Vázquez-Villegas, José
A1 Cabezas-Fernández, M Teresa
K1 Malaria
K1 Uncomplicated malaria
K1 Plasmodium falciparum
K1 Artemisinin-based comibination therapy
K1 Artemisinin
K1 Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine
K1 Artemisinina
K1 Combinación de medicamentos
K1 Antimaláricos
K1 Malaria falciparum
AB BACKGROUNDArtemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been adopted by the World Health Organization as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In endemic regions, it has proven more effective in treating the disease, and even in reducing its transmission. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of studies carried out in non-endemic areas on imported uncomplicated malaria.METHODSThis is a retrospective, observational study performed on patients diagnosed and admitted with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria between 2004 and 2015. The objective was to compare the parasite clearance period and the average hospital length of stay for patients treated with ACT vs those receiving other treatment regimens.RESULTSEighty-five patients were included in the study. Fifty-one received ACT treatment (dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine) and thirty-four patients were treated with quinine sulfate+doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil. The parasite clearance period was shorter in the group of patients treated with ACT compared to those receiving other treatment types: 24 h (IQR 24) vs 48 h (IQR 48), p < 0.01. The average hospital stay was also shorter in the ACT group with respect to the second group: 2.67 days (IQR 1.08) vs 3.96 days (IQR 2.87), p < 0.001. A mild case of hepatitis was registered in the group treated with ACT.CONCLUSIONSACT treatment of admitted hospital patients with imported uncomplicated malaria from P. falciparum reduced the days spent hospitalized as well as producing a more rapid parasite clearance compared to classic treatment. In spite of being treated with safe medications, one has to be alert to possible adverse effects such as hepatitis and delayed haemolytic anaemia.
PB BioMed Central
YR 2016
FD 2016-07-02
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/2280
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/2280
LA en
NO Pousibet-Puerto J, Salas-Coronas J, Sánchez-Crespo A, Molina-Arrebola MA, Soriano-Pérez MJ, Giménez-López MJ, et al. Impact of using artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria from Plasmodium falciparum in a non-endemic zone. Malar. J. 2016; 15(1):339
NO Journal Article;
DS RISalud
RD Apr 8, 2025