Assessment of the efficacies of anti-malaria drugs (Fansidar and Maloxine) against <i>P. falciparum</i> malaria in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Resistance of Plasmodia species (P.), particularly P. falciparum to most of current antimalaria drugs has emerged as the main technical problem in malaria control. The emergence of resistant malaria parasites has necessitated the development of other line of drugs, of which there is only a limited range. A synergistic combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine initially proved to be highly effective for the treatment and chemoprophylaxis of chloroquine-resistant Falciparum malaria appears to be loosing its efficacy. This study, however, is a survey of the efficacy of the different drug brands of this combination: Fansidar and Maloxine. From the result of the investigation it was however observed that the overall clinical impression of Fansidar on 132 male/female patients studied show for respective age groups: 10-20, clinical successes (CS) of 35.6% against clinical failures (CF) of 12.9%. For age group 21-30: CS=23.5%, CF = 11.4% for age group 31-40: CS = 100%: CF=0.0%. In age group 41-50: CS= 38.0%: CF = 0.0%. for age group 5-60:CS=0.8% CF = 0.0%, for age group 61-70: CS=0.8%, CF = 0.8% while the overall clinical impression of Maloxine on 266 male/female patients studied showed for respective age groups the following: 10-20: CS = 12.8%, CF=8.6%, 21<30: CS = 10.2% CF = 25.6%; 31<40: CS = 8.6% CF = 14.3%, 41-50: CS = 3.0% CF = 3.8%, 51-60: CS = 0.8% CF = 1.1%, 61-70: CS = 1.1% CF = 0.0%. it was also observed that adverse drug effects like diarrhoea, pruritus and vomits were recorded for both drugs.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 25, 2004: 65-73