Efficacy of sulfalene and pyrimethamine combination drugs alone and with quinine in treatment of P. falciparum cases in chloroquine resistant areas of north east India.

Studies were carried out in some areas of Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal and Mizoram where chloroquine resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum were present during 1983 and 1984, to see the efficacy of treatment of P. falciparum cases with SLP alone or with quinine sulphate. The findings have indicated that SLP in the dosage of sulfalene (1000 mg) + Pyrimethamine (50 mg) is suitable for treatment of P. falciparum cases not responding to chloroquine therapy in N.E. India. Treatment with sulfalene (1500 mg) + Pyrimethamine (75 mg) has no advantage over the SLP (1000 + 50) mg. Combination of quinine (1000 mg x 3 days) + SLP (1000 + 50) mg is better with 100 per cent cure rate. In Karhi Anglong district (Manja PHC) of Assam response to these drug combination is however less.

Comparative drug trial of a sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and a sulfalene/pyrimethamine combination against Plasmodium falciparum infections in semi-immune populations of Burma.

The antiplasmodial effect of a single dose treatment with a sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine combination as compared to a sulfalene/pyrimethamine combination against falciparum malaria was assessed in semi-immune populations in Burma in early 1980. Parasite clearance rates on Day 7 after treatment were 99.2% for the sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine combination and 98.6% for the sulfalene/pyrimethamine combination for all age-groups. The earlier recrudescence rates within one month were 3.7% and 9.2% respectively, while the later recrudescence rates between 1 and 2 months were 9% and 8.3% respectively. Hence, both combinations were equally effective for treatment of falciparum malaria as no significant difference in the parasite clearance rates was observed. However, the earlier recrudescence rates showed a significant difference with a higher rate for the sulfalene/pyrimethamine combination. This is thought to be due to the shorter half-life of sulfalene compared to sulfadoxine and to its being unable therefore to suppress the falciparum infections for as long a period as sulfadoxine. But there was not much difference in the later recrudescence rates. These combinations have a stimulating effect on the production of falciparum gametocytes; and, in order to minimize transmission, an effective gametocytocide such as primaquine should be given along with them, as well as with the chloroquine/pyrimethamine combination, in areas with efficient malaria vectors. Recrudescence rates and gametocyte rates were highest among children in the 1-4 years age-group and this could be attributed to their lower level of acquired immunity compared to the older children and adults. Vivax malaria was also found to be effectively suppressed for about 4 weeks with both combinations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)