Single Low Dose Tafenoquine to Reduce P. Falciparum Transmission in Mali (NECTAR2)

Single Low Dose Tafenoquine to Reduce P. Falciparum Transmission in Mali (NECTAR2)

The purpose of this study is to assess the gametocytocidal and transmission reducing activity of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) with and without various low doses of tafenoquine (TQ; 1.66mg/kg, 0.83mg/kg, or 0.415mg/kg). Outcome measures will include infectivity to mosquitoes at 2 and 7 days after treatment, gametocyte density throughout follow-up, and safety measures including haemoglobin density.

Full protocol available on request.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 12 years and ≤ 50 years
• Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) normal status defined by Carestart rapid diagnostic test or the G6PD qualitative test (OSMMR2000)
• Absence of symptomatic falciparum malaria, defined by fever on enrolment
• Presence of P. falciparum gametocytes on thick blood film at a density >16 gametocytes/µL (i.e. ≥ gametocytes recorded in the thick film against 500 white blood cells)
• Absence of other non-P. falciparum species on blood film
• No allergies to study drugs
• No use of antimalarial drugs over the past 7 days (as reported by the participant)
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL
• Individuals weighing < = 80 kg
• No evidence of acute severe or chronic disease
• Written, informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 12 years or > 50 years
• Women who are pregnant or lactating
• Blood thick film negative for sexual stages of malaria
• Detection of a non-P. falciparum species by microscopy
• Previous reaction to study drugs / known allergy to study drugs
• Signs of severe malaria, including hyperparasitemia (defined as asexual parasitemia > 100,000 parasites / µL)
• Signs of acute or chronic illness, including hepatitis
• The use of other medication (with the exception of paracetamol and/or aspirin)
• Consent not given
• G6PD-deficiency by Carestart rapid diagnostic test or the OSMMR2000 G6PD qualitative test
• Use of antimalarial drugs over the past 7 days (as reported by the participant)
• The use of other medication (with the exception of paracetamol and/or aspirin)
• Clinically significant illness (intercurrent illness e.g. pneumonia, pre-existing condition e.g. renal disease, malignancy or conditions that may affect absorption of study medication e.g. severe diarrhea or any signs of malnutrition as defined clinically)
• Signs of hepatic injury (such as nausea and/or abdominal pain associated with jaundice) or known severe liver disease (i.e. decompensated cirrhosis, Child Pugh stage B or C)
• Signs, symptoms or known renal impairment
• Clinically significant abnormal laboratory values as determined by history, physical examination or routine blood chemistries and hematology values (laboratory guideline values for exclusion are hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, platelets < 50,000/μl, White Blood Cell count (WBC) < 2000/μl, serum creatinine >2.0mg/dL, or ALT or AST more than 3 times the upper limit of normal for age.
• Family history of diseases leading to QT prolongation or recent treatment with drugs linked to QT prolongation
• Blood transfusion in the last 90 days.
• Consistent with the long half-life of tafenoquine, effective contraception should be continued for 5 half-lives (3 months) after the end of treatment.
• History of psychiatric disorders