Combination of quinine and artesunate may be the best to prevent ARDS in Falciparum Malaria

The work was carried out in the intensive care unit of Parsee General Hospital, Mumbai 400036, India.

Introduction

Falciparum Malaria is a dreaded parasitic infection, attacks all the organs in the human body cerebral, and chest dysfunction is very common in the infection followed by kidneys blood and so forth.

Hypothesis

To study and compare the various treatment modalities and the attendant complications of Falciparum Malaria with or without concomitant Vivax in the intensive care unit. The study is done to find out the best treatment to offer to patients suffering with Facliparum Malaria infection and treat ongoing multiorgan failure and to prevent further complication of the dreaded parasitic infection.

Methods

Retrospective study between 1993 and 1995 and prospective study from 1996 to 2003 of patients having severe malaria infection warranting intensive care management.

Results

A total number of 181 patients. See Table 1.

Table 1

Conclusions

(1) Quinine has given good and consistent results. Treatment must be initiated with quinine and must be given intravenously. (2) Parasites may have developed resistance to a multidrug regimen (mefloquine + others). (3) Quinine followed by artesunate 120 mg bolus followed by 60 mg daily intravenously for 5 days (quinine + artesunate together) yielded good results. This is the best that can presently be offered to patients with shock/multiorgan failure.