Therapeutic Efficacy of Coartem® in Treatment of Simple Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Woreta, South Gonder Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Coartem® in the treatment of simple P. falciparum malaria in Woreta Town, South Gonder Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: 2240 febrile patients attending the health center were screened and capillary blood was obtained by finger prick. Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears were prepared and used for parasite density and species identification. Of the 2240 patients tested, 88 with confirmed falciparum malaria were enrolled and treated with Coartem®. Haemoglobin concentration of the study participants was measured on day 0, 14 and 28. Of the 88 patients enrolled, five were lost to follow and five were excluded from treatment response analysis due to protocol violation. As a result, 78 patients were evaluated for treatment outcomes. Results: The adequate clinical and parasitological response was 100% at day 28. Fever clearance was fast with only 1.7% being febrile at day three. Parasite clearance was rapid with almost all patients (98.9%) being free of parasitmia on day 2. A significant increase in haemoglobin level was observed on day 28. Conclusion: Thus, these findings further support the use of Coartem as an effective treatment of simple P. falciparum malaria in the infectious disease area.