Combination Antimalarials in Uncomplicated Malaria

The resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to anti-malarial drugs is a serious impediment to the control of malaria. In the South East African Combination Anti-malarial Therapy (SEACAT) evaluation, there will be a comprehensive evaluation of phased introduction of combination anti-malarials (CAT) in Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa. In order to facilitate formulation of an effective regional drug policy and provide a database for decision-making on the implementation of combination therapy, it is essential that the in vivo response to CAT in all three countries be investigated. An SP therapeutic efficacy study will be conducted according to this modified World Health Organization (WHO) protocol to guide the selection of CAT. After CAT is introduced an in vivo CAT efficacy study will then be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of artesunate plus SP (or artemether-lumefantrine in KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo). In areas of low intensity malaria transmission the CAT in vivo study results will be compared across sites and with those found at baseline with monotherapy, for each site.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, older than 12 months.
• Weight > 10 kg.
• Diagnoses of uncomplicated acute P. falciparum malaria parasitaemia of up to 250 000 asexual parasite/mcl blood with axillary temperature of greater than and equal to 37.5 or history of fever
• Documented informed consent
• Lives close enough to the health centre for reliable follow up

Exclusion criteria

• Has received anti-malarial treatment in the past 7 days.
• Severely ill (based on WHO Criteria for severe malaria ) or if patient is considered, in the opinion of the investigator or designee, to have moderately severe malaria (e.g. prostrate, repeated vomiting, dehydrated).
• Has received cotrimoxazole or chloramphenicol in the past 7 days.
• History of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (not a contra-indication for artemether-lumefantrine).
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Has a history of allergy to any of the study drugs (including other sulphonamides e.g. cotrimoxazole, other artemisinin derivatives e.g. artemether-lumefantrine).