Optimal primaquine use for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale malaria in Japanese travelers--A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND

Recently, a dose of 30 mg (base) primaquine daily for 14 days is increasingly recommended for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria. However, total primaquine doses, or those per body weight, are also recognized as important. In Japan, primaquine is not a licensed medicine, but has been used through the Research Group on Chemotherapy of Tropical Diseases for >3 decades.

METHODS

Based on clinical records submitted to the Research Group, patients with P. vivax and Plasmodium ovale malaria treated with primaquine were analyzed to determine the efficacy and safety of the antimalarial drug.

RESULTS

Seventy-five P. vivax cases, including 3 in children, and 19 P. ovale cases were enrolled. Five of the P. vivax cases demonstrated at least one relapse despite primaquine therapy. Total primaquine doses per body weight were obtained in 4 of the 5 relapsed patients, presenting 9 malaria episodes totally, and most of the primaquine failures were caused with a total dose ≤ 3.5 mg/kg. Liver function disturbance was reported in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

In order to optimize radical cure of P. vivax, the total primaquine dose per body weight should be considered, at least 3.5 mg/kg or even more if contracted in countries with significant drug resistance. Possibility of primaquine hepatotoxicity in chronic liver disease patients remains to be elucidated.