Efficacy of chloroquine, chloroquine plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, and amodiaquine for treatment of vivax malaria in Bangka island, Indonesia: a randomized trial.

Plasmodium vivax malaria resistant to chloroquine is alarming in Indonesia and has been also reported in other countries. An alternative drug is needed. The study was a prospective evaluation and a comparative study of the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine 25 mg base/kg bw for 3 days (CQ3, n=75), CQ3 plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine based on pyrimethamine dosage of 1.25 mg/kg bw single dose (SP1) [CQ3+SP1, n=84] and amodiaquine 25 mg base/kg bw for 3 days (AQ3, n=83) in symptomatic vivax malaria patients in children and adults. The new version of 2001 WHO test system was used in this study. PCR for genotyping was also done to validate and confirm the treatment outcomes. The therapeutic efficacy of CQ3, CQ3+SP1 and AQ3 on day 14 were very high (94.4%, 97.4% and 98.8%), and dropped on day 28 (81.7%, 87.2% and 96.2% by evaluable analysis; 78.9%. 82.0% and 92.5% after confirmation with PCR; and 74.7%, 78.0% and 90.2% by intention to treat analysis). Most of the ACPR cases (>96%) showed hematological recovery. Gametocyte carriages were documented on day 7 (2.9%, 1.3% and 1.2%), day 14 (4.3%, 1.3% and 1.2%) and day 28 (6.6%, 4.2% and none) in CQ3, CQ3+SP1 and AQ3 groups. Of these 3 regimens, AQ3 showed a better therapeutic efficacy than CQ3 and combined CQ3+SP1 by day 28. Introducing primaquine at the beginning of treatment day or giving a radical treatment in vivax malaria may improve the cure rate.

Normal spirometry, gas transfer and lung volume values in Papua, Indonesia.

Spirometry is an efficient and clinically useful tool in the diagnosis and management of chronic lung disease. It relies on an appreciation of normal lung function that can vary between populations. In order to improve the utility of spirometry, gas transfer and lung volume measures for clinical and research use in Papua, Indonesia, we determined lung function in Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesian adults who did not have evidence of lung disease. A cross-sectional survey of Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesians 18 years or older with no history of chronic cough or recent wheeze was made. Spirometry, gas transfer and total lung capacity (TLC) were determined and regression models developed for normal values. The spirometry values were similar but not directly comparable to similar studies in Papua New Guinea populations. Papuan highland residents demonstrated independently greater values of gas transfer and total lung capacity in comparison to lowland Papuans. Values for lung function in apparent respiratory health were shown to differ between Papuan and non-Papuan Indonesian populations and in comparison to reference values derived from non-indonesian populations. Differences in age-related decline in lung function would suggest that simple proportional correction based on values derived from non-Indonesian populations may be inappropriate and would support the development of similar reference values in other populations. Whether differences seen here are innate or occur as a consequence of in-utero and post-partum environmental exposure remains to be accurately elucidated.