A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF ARTESUNATE–SULFAMETHOXYPYRAZINE– PYRIMETHAMINE VERSUS ARTEMETHER–LUMEFANTRINE FOR THE

Abstract. The choice of artemisinin-based combination that is being adopted for malaria treatment in sub-Saharan Africa may depend on several factors, including cost, efficacy, side effects, and simplicity of administration. We tested the hypothesis that artesunate–sulfamethoxypyrazine–pyrimethamine is as efficacious as the four-dose regimen of ar-temether–lumefantrine for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The study was carried out during two trans-mission seasons (2003 and 2004) in Sotuba, Mali. Participants at least 6 months of age with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to receive artesunate–sulfamethoxypyrazine–pyrimethamine or artemether– lumefantrine. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the World Health Organization 28-day protocol. A total of 606 (303 in each arm) patients were enrolled. The cure rate was higher for artesunate–sulfamethoxypyrazine–pyrimethamine than for artemether–lumefantrine (98.7 % versus 89.6%; P < 0.0001). After correction for cases of re-infection, the cure rates were 100 % and 99.0%, respectively (P 0.08). No serious adverse events occurred. Artesunate–sulfamethoxypyrazine– pyrimethamine is well-tolerated and effective against P. falciparum malaria. It showed an additional benefit of prevent-ing new infections