Treatment outcome analysis of Artemisinin based therapy in Plasmodium falciparum infection: An observational study

Currently, the preferred treatment for chloroquine (CQ) resistant Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Our aim was to assess the artemisinin based treatment outcomes in patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Patients with falciparum infection from a tertiary health care centre in South India were enrolled in this study. It was a non-randomised observational study. The data regarding peripheral blood smear, complete blood count, liver, renal function tests and the treatment given was documented at admission and on the day of discharge. Patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were most common. Artesunate and doxycycline was the most common combination used at our centre (54.6%) followed by artemether -lumefantrine. All patients had peripheral smear negative for Plasmodium falciparum parasite by the end of treatment. There was improvement in blood count,liver and renal function tests. Artemisinin based combination therapy was effective in treatment of falciparum malaria.