Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria
Conditions
Keywords
Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy, Plasmodium falciparum, Uncomplicated malaria
Brief summary
Background: Artemisinin resistance has emerged in parts of Southeast Asia, and there are reports in Africa of reduced susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum parasites against artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). No new drugs are available in the pipeline to replace ACTs in case they fail. This study aims to assess whether a sequential administration of triple ACTs with different partner-drugs can improve the efficacy of ACT for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Methods: A health facility-based, three-arm partially blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted to assess efficacy and safety of a sequential administration of artemether-lumefantrine followed immediately by artesunate-amodiaquine (AL+ASAQ) or artemether-lumefantrine with by amodiaquine (AL+AQ) compared to artemether-lumefantrine plus placebo (AL+PBO). Eligible children aged 6 - 120 months and with microscopy confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria will be enrolled, administered with trial medicines and followed-up at 0 (just prior to first drug intake) and 8 hours on day 0, 12 hourly on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, followed by once daily on days 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 56 for clinical and laboratory evaluations. Clinical evaluation will involve assessment of signs and symptoms related to the disease and or trial medicine during follow-up. Laboratory evaluation will include microscopic determination of presence of malaria parasites and species, hemoglobin level, molecular analysis for markers of drug resistance and to differentiate recrudescence from new infection. The primary outcome will be Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological cure rate on days 28 and 42. Expected outcomes: The findings will give an insight on whether 3 ACTs are more efficacious than the use of first-line regimen alone, and are tolerable for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
Interventions
DRUGArtemether-lumefantrine and Amodiaquine Drug Combination
AL and AQ will be given together for three days then followed by placebo for three days
DRUGArtemether-lumefantrine then Artesunate amodiaquine
AL will be given twice a day for three days then followed by artesunate amodiaquine once a day for three days
DRUGArtemether-lumefantrine
This will be the comparator arm as standard treatment, where only AL will be given twice a day for three days then placebo for three days
Sponsors
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
The Swedish Research Council
Uppsala University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Intervention model description
A health facility-based, three-arm partially blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted to assess efficacy and safety of a sequential administration of artemether-lumefantrine followed immediately by artesunate-amodiaquine (AL+ASAQ) or artemether-lumefantrine with by amodiaquine (AL+AQ) compared to artemether-lumefantrine plus placebo (AL+PBO).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Months to 120 Months
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Patients presenting at the health facility with suspected acute uncomplicated malaria will be screened for eligibility. Inclusion Criteria: * Age from 6 - 120 months * Weight ≥ 5 kg * Body temperature ≥37.5°C or history of fever in the last 24 hours * Microscopy confirmed P. falciparum mono-infection * Parasitemia level of 1000-200000/μL * Ability to swallow oral medication * Ability and willingness to abide by the study protocol and the stipulated follow-up visits * A written proxy informed consent from a parent/guardian
Exclusion criteria
* Children aged below 6 months will not be included in the study because ACTs are contraindicated in this group. * Evidence of severe malaria or danger signs * Known allergy to trial medicines * Reported antimalarial intake ≤2 weeks * Haemoglobin \<5 g/dL * Blood transfusion within last 90 days * Febrile condition other than malaria * Known underlying chronic or severe disease (including severe malnutrition).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Crude recurrent parasitemia by day 56 in the respective arms | 56th day since enrolment | Laboratory assessment of parasitemia using light microscopy performed at last day of follow up will be the primary outcome assessing the differences in proportion of patients with recurrent parasitemia. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PCR adjusted cure rates by day 28, 42 and 56. | Through study completion, an average of 1 year | Assessment of cure rate as determined by parasitemia to distinguish recrudescence and reinfections |
Countries
Tanzania
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBilly E Ngasala, PhD
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAndreas Mårtensson, PhD
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Outcome results
None listed