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SURVEILLANCE OF IN VIVO RESISTANCE OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM TO ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS FROM 1992 TO 1999 IN MALABO (EQUATORIAL GUINEA)

From 1992–1999, we have assessed the therapeutic efficacy of three malaria treatment regimens (chloroquine 25 mg/kg over three days, pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine 1.25/25 mg/kg in one dose, and quinine 25–30 mg/kg daily in three oral doses over a four-, five-, or seven-day period) in 1,189 children under age 10 at Malabo Regional Hospital in Equatorial Guinea. Of those children, 958 were followed up clinically and parasitologically for 14 days. With chloroquine, the failure rate varied from 55% in 1996 to 40% in 1999; the early treatment failure rate increased progressively over the years, from 6% in 1992 to 30% in 1999. With pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine, the failure rate varied from 0% in 1996 to 16% in 1995. The short quinine treatment regimens used in 1992 and 1993 (4 and 5 days, respectively) resulted in significantly higher failure rates (19% and 22%, respectively) than the 7d regimen (3–5.5%). We conclude that: a) failure rates for chloroquine are in the change period (>25%), and urgent action is needed; b) pyrimethamine/ sulfadoxine failure rates are in the alert period (6–15%), and surveillance must be continued; and c) quinine failure rates are in the grace period (<6%), so quinine can be recommended.

Acknowledgments: We thank the families of the study children, the staff of Malabo Regional Hospital for help and support, and the National Malaria Control Program of Equatorial Guinea for permission to carry out this study.

Financial support: This work was supported by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation and Instituto de Salud ‘Carlos III’ (SBPY-1320/01).

Authors’ addresses: Jesús Roche, Centro Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Salud ‘Carlos III,’ Sinesio Delgado 10, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Ana Guerra-Neira and José Raso, Proyecto Control del Paludismo, Hospital Regional de Malabo, PO Box 958, Equatorial Guinea. Agustín Benito, Centro Nacional de Microbiología. Ctra. Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.

Reprint requests: Jesús Roche, Centro Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Salud ‘Carlos III,’ Sinesio Delgado 10, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

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