Artesunate for Severe Malaria in Africa?

In African children with severe malaria, mortality was 22.5% lower with parenteral artesunate than with quinine.

Severe malaria remains a major cause of hospitalization and death among children in Africa. In recent studies among Asian patients (primarily adults) with this condition, parenteral artesunate has saved more lives than quinine (JW Infect Dis Sep 23 2005). However, many malaria researchers have doubted whether similar results can be achieved in Africa, where the sensitivity of parasites to quinine is greater and the level of background immunity to malaria is higher.

To determine whether artesunate might also be better than quinine in Africa, investigators undertook an open-label, multicenter trial in nine sub-Saharan countries. Children aged <15 years with severe malaria were randomized to receive quinine or artesunate, administered intramusc…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Artesunate for Severe Malaria in Africa?

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Reviewing Author