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.