Evidence of plasmodium falciparum Malaria multidrug resistance to artemisinin and piperaquine in Western Cambodia : dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine open-label multicenter clinical assessment

Western Cambodia is recognized as the epicentre of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance. Recent reports of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine efficacy, the latest generation of ACTs recommended by the WHO, prompted further investigations. Clinical efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in uncomplicated falciparum malaria was assessed in western and eastern Cambodia over 42 days. Day 7 piperaquine plasma concentrations were measured and day 0 isolates tested for in vitro susceptibilities to piperaquine and mefloquine, polymorphisms in the K13 gene and copy number of the mdr-1 gene (ACTRN12614000344695). 425 patients were recruited in 2011-2013. The proportion of patients with recrudescent infections was significantly higher in western (15.4%) compared to eastern Cambodia (2.5%, p