Therapeutic efficacy of artesunate - amiodaquine for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria at Ghindae Zonal Referral Hospital, Eritrea.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS+AQ) which is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Eritrea.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted from December 2014 to March 2015 in Ghindae Zonal Referral Hospital in Northern Red Sea Zone. Out of 481 patients screened, 103 were enrolled in the study. The therapeutic efficacy test was done as per the WHO protocol for a period of 28days of follow-up.

Results: The PCR-uncorrected treatment outcome was classified as adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) in 95 patients, which meant the cure rate was 96.0 (95% CI: 89.7%-98.5%) after survival analysis.

Conclusions: Therapeutic efficacy of AS+AQ still meets the WHO efficacy criteria for its continued use in the study area as the first-line drug against uncomplicated falciparum malaria. However, further studies are needed using correction with molecular markers to monitor therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs in this area.