Effect of Malaria Treatment on Gametocyte Carriage
Author Information
Author(s): Dunyo Samuel, Milligan Paul, Edwards Tansy, Sutherland Colin, Targett Geoffrey, Pinder Margaret
Primary Institution: Medical Research Council Laboratories, Banjul, Gambia
Hypothesis
Does treatment of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus artesunate affect gametocyte carriage?
Conclusion
Treatment of asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine does not increase gametocyte carriage or density.
Supporting Evidence
- Gametocyte prevalence was similar in the SP and placebo groups on day 7.
- Gametocyte carriage was reduced by 71% in the SP group compared to placebo.
- By day 56, gametocyte prevalence was significantly lower in drug-treated groups compared to placebo.
Takeaway
When people with malaria but no symptoms take certain medicines, it doesn't make the germs that can spread malaria to mosquitoes any more common.
Methodology
A three-arm open-label randomized trial was conducted with participants receiving either sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus artesunate, or placebo.
Potential Biases
The study was not blinded, which could introduce bias in the assessment of outcomes.
Limitations
The study was conducted during the dry season, which may limit generalizability to other regions and times.
Participant Demographics
Participants included adults and children over 6 months old with asymptomatic P. falciparum infection.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.87
Confidence Interval
−7.4% to 8.7%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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