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ABSTRACT: Objectives
To compare the efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Uganda.Design
Randomized single-blinded clinical trial.Setting
Apac, Uganda, an area of very high malaria transmission intensity.Participants
Children aged 6 mo to 10 y with uncomplicated falciparum malaria.Intervention
Treatment of malaria with AL or DP, each following standard 3-d dosing regimens.Outcome measures
Risks of recurrent parasitemia at 28 and 42 d, unadjusted and adjusted by genotyping to distinguish recrudescences and new infections.Results
Of 421 enrolled participants, 417 (99%) completed follow-up. The unadjusted risk of recurrent falciparum parasitemia was significantly lower for participants treated with DP than for those treated with AL after 28 d (11% versus 29%; risk difference [RD] 18%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11%-26%) and 42 d (43% versus 53%; RD 9.6%, 95% CI 0%-19%) of follow-up. Similarly, the risk of recurrent parasitemia due to possible recrudescence (adjusted by genotyping) was significantly lower for participants treated with DP than for those treated with AL after 28 d (1.9% versus 8.9%; RD 7.0%, 95% CI 2.5%-12%) and 42 d (6.9% versus 16%; RD 9.5%, 95% CI 2.8%-16%). Patients treated with DP had a lower risk of recurrent parasitemia due to non-falciparum species, development of gametocytemia, and higher mean increase in hemoglobin compared to patients treated with AL. Both drugs were well tolerated; serious adverse events were uncommon and unrelated to study drugs.Conclusion
DP was superior to AL for reducing the risk of recurrent parasitemia and gametocytemia, and provided improved hemoglobin recovery. DP thus appears to be a good alternative to AL as first-line treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Uganda. To maximize the benefit of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Africa, treatment should be integrated with aggressive strategies to reduce malaria transmission intensity.
SUBMITTER: Kamya MR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1876597 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Kamya Moses R MR Yeka Adoke A Bukirwa Hasifa H Lugemwa Myers M Rwakimari John B JB Staedke Sarah G SG Talisuna Ambrose O AO Greenhouse Bryan B Nosten François F Rosenthal Philip J PJ Wabwire-Mangen Fred F Dorsey Grant G
PLoS clinical trials 20070518 5
<h4>Objectives</h4>To compare the efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Uganda.<h4>Design</h4>Randomized single-blinded clinical trial.<h4>Setting</h4>Apac, Uganda, an area of very high malaria transmission intensity.<h4>Participants</h4>Children aged 6 mo to 10 y with uncomplicated falciparum malaria.<h4>Intervention</h4>Treatment of malaria with AL or DP, each following standard 3-d dosing re ...[more]