SHORT REPORT: IN VIVO SENSITIVITY OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM TO HALOFANTRINE IN SOUTHERN CENTRAL VIETNAM

Authors

Doan Hanh Nhan, Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Hanoi, Vietnam
Walter J. Taylor, World Health Organization/TDR/PRD
Nguyen Dieu Thuong, Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tran Thi Uyen, Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Hanoi, Vietnam
David J. Fryauff, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2Follow
Ika Susanti, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2
Eduardo Gomez-Saladin, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2
Le Dinh Cong, Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Hanoi, Vietnam
J. Kevin Baird, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2Follow

Date of this Version

2003

Citation

Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 69(5), 2003, pp. 553–554

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is present in Vietnam. We assessed the in vivo sensitivity of P. falciparum to halofantrine in two villages in the southern part of central Vietnam. Halofantrine (8 mg/kg × 3 doses) was administered to 37 patients with either P. falciparum (n = 32) or mixed P. falciparum/P. vivax malaria (n = 5). End points were parasite sensitivity or resistance (RI/RII/RIII) determined by parasite clearance, persistence, or recurrence during 28 days of follow-up. By day 28, 31 (93.9%) of 33 (95% confidence interval = 79.8−99.2%) patients were sensitive. Two patients had recurrent P. falciparum parasitemia on days 14 and 21. Halofantrine effectively treated uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in these Vietnamese patients.