Efficacy of Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and Artemisinin-containing Combination Therapy for Malaria

Assessing and Monitoring the Efficacy of Sulfadoxine/ Pyrimethamine (SP) and the Combination of SP Plus Artesunate for Uncomplicated Malaria Infections Among Children

This is an ongoing monitoring activity of efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), which is the current national treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania, and a combination of SP and artesunate among children < 5 years in 3 sites in rural Tanzania.

Protocol was amended in 2004 to (1) include lumefantrine+artemether, the newly identified first-line treatment for malaria to be introduced into Tanzania in 2006; (2) on a limited basis, include adult patients; (3) extend follow-up to 28 days; (4) investigate whether treated bednets would reduce confounding by reinfection

This is an ongoing monitoring activity of efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), which is the current national treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania, and a combination of SP and artesunate among children < 5 years in 3 sites in rural Tanzania.

Protocol was amended in 2004 to (1) include lumefantrine+artemether, the newly identified first-line treatment for malaria to be introduced into Tanzania in 2006; (2) on a limited basis, include adult patients; (3) extend follow-up to 28 days; (4) investigate whether treated bednets would reduce confounding by reinfection

Inclusion Criteria:

Children < 5 years of age (in one site, patients of all ages are eligible).

Documented fever (axillary temperature >= 37.5oC) in the absence of another obvious cause of fever or other serious or chronic medical condition

Unmixed infection with P. falciparum of between 2,000 and 250,000 asexual parasites/mm3

Patients' or the patients' parent's or guardian's informed consent and willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Any evidence of severe malaria that would require hospitalization for treatment.

Reported allergy to any antimalarial drugs, including sulfa and artemisinin drugs.

History of pregnancy or delayed menstrual period

Breastfeeding a child less than 8 weeks of age