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. 2007 May 18;2(5):e20.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pctr.0020020.

Artemether-lumefantrine versus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of malaria: a randomized trial

Moses R Kamya  1 , Adoke Yeka, Hasifa Bukirwa, Myers Lugemwa, John B Rwakimari, Sarah G Staedke, Ambrose O Talisuna, Bryan Greenhouse, François Nosten, Philip J Rosenthal, Fred Wabwire-Mangen, Grant Dorsey
Affiliations

Artemether-lumefantrine versus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of malaria: a randomized trial

Moses R Kamya et al. PLoS Clin Trials. .

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Uganda.

Design: Randomized single-blinded clinical trial.

Setting: Apac, Uganda, an area of very high malaria transmission intensity.

Participants: Children aged 6 mo to 10 y with uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Intervention: Treatment of malaria with AL or DP, each following standard 3-d dosing regimens.

Outcome measures: Risks of recurrent parasitemia at 28 and 42 d, unadjusted and adjusted by genotyping to distinguish recrudescences and new infections.

Results: Of 421 enrolled participants, 417 (99%) completed follow-up. The unadjusted risk of recurrent falciparum parasitemia was significantly lower for participants treated with DP than for those treated with AL after 28 d (11% versus 29%; risk difference [RD] 18%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11%-26%) and 42 d (43% versus 53%; RD 9.6%, 95% CI 0%-19%) of follow-up. Similarly, the risk of recurrent parasitemia due to possible recrudescence (adjusted by genotyping) was significantly lower for participants treated with DP than for those treated with AL after 28 d (1.9% versus 8.9%; RD 7.0%, 95% CI 2.5%-12%) and 42 d (6.9% versus 16%; RD 9.5%, 95% CI 2.8%-16%). Patients treated with DP had a lower risk of recurrent parasitemia due to non-falciparum species, development of gametocytemia, and higher mean increase in hemoglobin compared to patients treated with AL. Both drugs were well tolerated; serious adverse events were uncommon and unrelated to study drugs.

Conclusion: DP was superior to AL for reducing the risk of recurrent parasitemia and gametocytemia, and provided improved hemoglobin recovery. DP thus appears to be a good alternative to AL as first-line treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Uganda. To maximize the benefit of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Africa, treatment should be integrated with aggressive strategies to reduce malaria transmission intensity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests. The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Trial Profile
Figure 2
Figure 2. Cumulative Risk of Recurrent Parasitemia Stratified by Treatment Group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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