Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and Primaquine for Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Cases

The study was conducted in Hanura Primary Health Center, Padang Cermin district, Lampung province (105°45'-103°48'E and 3°45'-6°45'S) located at the southern end of Sumatra island.

The study subjects received either 3 day doses of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine with or without 1 day of primaquine according to their body weight.

Patients with fever or history of fever within the past 24 hours were screened by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thick blood films to detect P. falciparum infection.

All subjects were allocated by open-label randomization to receive DHP alone (on Day 0 to Day 2) or DHP plus a single dose of PQ (Day 3). The procedures of drug administration in the study were as follows:

Inclusion criteria

• age ≥ 4 years old
• parasite count ≥ 1,000 asexual parasites/µL
• normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme level based on qualitative test (Trinity Biotech® no 203, USA)
• hemoglobin level ≥ 8 gr/dL as measured by Hemoque® apparatus;
• have the ability to return for 42-day-follow up and
• willingness to sign the informed-consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• are infected with other r plasmodium species
• have only gametocytes of P. falciparum;
• are pregnant - measured by positive result on HCG urine test and/or breastfeeding women
• present signs of pitting edema on both legs as a sign of malnutrition
• have complicated or severe malaria, other chronic diseases or history of drug allergies.