Monitoring of efficacy, tolerability and safety of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Lambaréné, Gabon: an open-label clinical trial

Bayode R Adegbite, Jean R Edoa, Yabo J Honkpehedji, Frejus J Zinsou, Jean C Dejon-Agobe, Mirabeau Mbong-Ngwese, Fabrice Lotola-Mougueni, Erik Koehne, Albert Lalremruata, Andrea Kreidenweiss, The T Nguyen, Jutta Kun, Selidji T Agnandji, Bertrand Lell, Abdou R Safiou, Fridia A Obone Atome, Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, Michael Ramharter, Thirumalaisamy P Velavan, Benjamin MordmüllerPeter G Kremsner, Ayola A Adegnika

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Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem, affecting mainly low-and middle-income countries. The management of this parasitic disease is challenged by ever increasing drug resistance. This study, investigated the therapeutic efficacy, tolerability and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ), used as first-line drugs to treat uncomplicated malaria in Lambaréné, Gabon. Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted between October 2017 and March 2018 to assess safety, clinical and parasitological efficacy of fixed-doses of AL and AS-AQ administered to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children aged from 6 months to 12 years. After 50 children were treated with AL, another 50 children received ASAQ. The 2009 World Health Organization protocol for monitoring of the efficacy of antimalarial drugs was followed. Molecular markers msp1 and msp2 were used to differentiate recrudescence and reinfection. For the investigation of artemisinin resistant markers, gene mutations in Pfk13 were screened. Results: Per-protocol analysis on day 28 showed a PCR corrected cure rate of 97% (95% CI 86-100) and 95% (95% CI 84-99) for AL and AS-AQ, respectively. The most frequent adverse event in both groups was asthenia. No mutations in the kelch-13 gene associated with artemisinin resistance were identified. All participants had completed microscopic parasite clearance by day 3 post-treatment. Conclusion: This study showed that AL and AS-AQ remain efficacious, well-tolerated, and are safe to treat uncomplicated malaria in children from Lambaréné. However, a regular monitoring of efficacy and a study of molecular markers of drug resistance to artemisinin in field isolates is essential. Trial registration ANZCTR, ACTRN12616001600437. Registered 18 November, http://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx?searchTxt=ACTRN12616001600437p&isBasic=True
Original languageEnglish
Article number424
JournalMalaria journal
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Dec 2019

Keywords

  • Amodiaquine/therapeutic use
  • Antimalarials/therapeutic use
  • Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination/therapeutic use
  • Artemisinins/therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Monitoring/statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Gabon
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy
  • Male
  • Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects
  • Protozoan Proteins/genetics

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