Therapeutic efficacy of pyronaridine-artesunate (Pyramax®) against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection at Hamusit Health Centre, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Early case detection and prompt treatment are important malaria control and elimination strategies. However, the emergence and rapid spread of drug-resistant strains present a major challenge. This study reports the first therapeutic efficacy profile of pyronaridine-artesunate ag...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Malaria Journal
Main Authors: Mihreteab Alebachew, Woyneshet Gelaye, Megbaru Alemu Abate, Heven Sime, Henok Hailgiorgis, Bokretsion Gidey, Mebrahtom Haile, Gudissa Assefa, Worku Bekele, Habtamu Belay, Jonathan B. Parr, Geremew Tasew, Hussein Mohammed, Ashenafi Assefa
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023
Subjects:
Efficacy
Ethiopia
Hamusit
P. falciparum
Pyronaridine-artesunate
Malaria
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Infectious and parasitic diseases
RC109-216
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04618-y
https://doaj.org/article/b90835c0a0124cb7b9789e9b94fb2228
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Summary:Abstract Background Early case detection and prompt treatment are important malaria control and elimination strategies. However, the emergence and rapid spread of drug-resistant strains present a major challenge. This study reports the first therapeutic efficacy profile of pyronaridine-artesunate against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods This single-arm prospective study with 42-day follow-up period was conducted from March to May 2021 at Hamusit Health Centre using the World Health Organization (WHO) therapeutic efficacy study protocol. A total of 90 adults ages 18 and older with uncomplicated falciparum malaria consented and were enrolled in the study. A standard single-dose regimen of pyronaridine-artesunate was administered daily for 3 days, and clinical and parasitological outcomes were assessed over 42 days of follow-up. Thick and thin blood films were prepared from capillary blood and examined using light microscopy. Haemoglobin was measured and dried blood spots were collected on day 0 and on the day of failure. Results Out of 90 patients, 86/90 (95.6%) completed the 42-day follow-up study period. The overall PCR-corrected cure rate (adequate clinical and parasitological response) was very high at 86/87 (98.9%) (95% CI: 92.2–99.8%) with no serious adverse events. The parasite clearance rate was high with fast resolution of clinical symptoms; 86/90 (95.6%) and 100% of the study participants cleared parasitaemia and fever on day 3, respectively. Conclusion Pyronaridine-artesunate was highly efficacious and safe against uncomplicated P. falciparum in this study population.

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