Treatment of Artemisinin-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in India

Abstract

Background: Treatment failure in P. falciparum malaria is a major dilemma that faces health care workers
throughout the country. True drug resistance is one of the causes after ruling out compliance and drug quality
issues. The other cause is re-infection with a new strain of the parasite during the treatment period.
Objectives: To find out what are the antimalarials prescribed in India for the treatment of Artemisininresistant
P.
falciparum
malaria.
Methods:
By
reviewing
documents
published
by
the
National
Vector
Borne

Disease
Control
Programme.
Results:
It is
found
that
a
combination
of
oral
Quinine
and
oral
Clindamycin
can

be
given
for
Artemisinin-resistant
P.
falciparum
malaria.
Conclusions:
There
is
a
lack
of
awareness
among

health

care providers on how to treat artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum malaria. This paper addresses this
concern.