[Therapeutic effect of dihydroartemisinin combined with naphthoquine phosphate in patients with falciparum malaria].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin combined with naphthoquine phosphate in patients with falciparum malaria.

Methods: Patients with Plasmodium falciparum were selected as the subjects, treated with a single dose of dihydroarteminisinin 160 mg combined with naphthoquine phosphate 400 mg (for adults) and followed up in preselective time by blood and temperature examination for 28 days after drug administration.

Results: 37 patients with falciparum malaria were treated and followed up. One patient had recrudescence and the cure rate in 28 days was 97.3%(36/37). The mean fever clearance time was (15.8 +/- 8.7) hours; the mean parasite clearance time was (27.6 +/- 13.2) hours; the mean reduction parasite rate in 24 hours was 96.7% +/- 26.5%. No apparent side effect was observed.

Conclusion: A combination of dihydroartemisinin and naphthoquine is effective for the treatment of patients with falciparum malaria.