Efficacy and Safety of Azithromycin and Artesunate in Pregnant Women

Malaria infection during pregnancy poses substantial risk to the mother, her fetus, and the neonate. Prevention of malaria during pregnancy is vital in decreasing maternal and child mortality in Africa. There are data from studies that show that intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) with two doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is safe, efficacious, and effective in preventing maternal anemia, placental parasitemia, and LBW. Resistance to SP, however, is increasing rapidly in Africa and there is an urgent need to find alternative effective, safe and affordable drugs for the treatment and prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

The investigators conducted a trial to determine the efficacy and safety of azithromycin and artesunate combined with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine as treatment against malaria during pregnancy.Pregnant women 14 to 26 weeks gestation with P. falciparum parasitemia on peripheral blood film were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups and received two doses of:(1) SP (3 tablets) only; (2) SP and azithromycin (1gram/day x 2 days)and (3) SP and artesunate 200mg/day for 3 days). The two doses of the study drug were administered approximately 4 weeks apart. All study drugs were taken under observation.Blood samples were collected on days 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 after treatment and at any visit when the women presented with symptoms of malaria. The women were also given an insecticide-treated net (ITN) and followed until delivery. Adverse effects were assessed at each scheduled visit, any unscheduled visits during the study, and at delivery. Peripheral and placental blood films and placental biopsies were prepared at delivery. Newborns were weighed, examined, and gestational age was determined.

Inclusion criteria

• peripheral malaria parasitemia
• signed informed consent
• age 15-49 years
• mother has felt the movements of the foetus (quickening)
• fetal age of at least 14 but not more than 26 completed gestation weeks
• maternal availability for follow-up during the entire period of the study

Exclusion criteria

• known maternal tuberculosis, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease
• mental disorder that may affect comprehension of the study or success of follow-up
• twin pregnancy
• pregnancy complications evident at enrollment visit (moderate to severe oedema, blood Hb concentration < 7 g / dl, systolic blood pressure (BP) > 160 mmHg or diastolic BP > 100 mmHg)
• prior receipt of azithromycin during current pregnancy
• receipt of any antimalarial within 28 days before enrollment
• known allergy to drugs containing sulfonamides, macrolides or pyrimethamine
• history of anaphylaxis
• history of any serious allergic reaction to any substance, requiring emergency medical care
• history of hepatitis or jaundice
• concurrent participation in any other clinical trial