
AbstractRecently, Gansané and colleagues published an article on inadequate efficacy of two different forms of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Burkina Faso. The development ofPlasmodium falciparumresistance to different ACT partner drugs at levels that could affect the efficacy of two ACT would both be startling and a cause for great concern. In reviewing the available data collected since 2008 on ACT efficacy in Burkina Faso, the analysis shows that the reported efficacy of the tested ACT varies greatly. Most of the studies have considerable methodological deviations and challenges, especially in PCR correction done to distinguish between recrudescence and re-infection, and in the failure to omit re-infections in the calculation of efficacy rates. So far, there is no convincing evidence in the articles reviewed that multidrug resistance has emerged in Burkina Faso. However, the potential consequence of failing ACT means that the results published by Gansané et al. urgently need to be confirmed. Furthermore, articles reporting on efficacy data need to include an examination of the potential consequences of any methodological deviations.
Opinion, Therapeutic efficacy studies, Anti-malarial treatment failures, RC955-962, Plasmodium falciparum, Infectious and parasitic diseases, RC109-216, Artemisinins, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Antimalarials, Drug Combinations, Lactones, Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine, Burkina Faso, Malaria drug resistance, Anti-malarial efficacy
Opinion, Therapeutic efficacy studies, Anti-malarial treatment failures, RC955-962, Plasmodium falciparum, Infectious and parasitic diseases, RC109-216, Artemisinins, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Antimalarials, Drug Combinations, Lactones, Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine, Burkina Faso, Malaria drug resistance, Anti-malarial efficacy
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