Severe unresolving Plasmodium falciparum malaria following artemisinin combination therapy: Emergence of drug resistance in Saudi Arabia.
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Date
2016-10
Journal Title
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Abstract
A 5‑year‑old female child presented with fever of 1‑week duration after visiting a malaria endemic zone without
antimalarial prophylaxis. The patient presented with respiratory distress, decreased level of consciousness and
high‑grade fever. An elevated parasitaemia reaching 800,000/μl was observed. Antimalarial therapy was initiated with
artesunate being administered intravenous (IV) along with IV clindamycin. Contrary to the expectations, there was
no resolution of fever. Following a week of unresolved fever, the drug therapy was revised and altered to IV quinine
dihydrochloride and IV clindamycin. Emergence of non‑responsiveness to artesunate in Saudi Arabia is an alarming sign
and requires revision of management protocols.
Description
Keywords
Artesunate, malaria, resistance
Citation
Al-Zaydani I A, Al-Hakami A, Kumar A, Abdalla S A, Otaif M, Thiqa R M A, Ahmed H, Alnahili K. Severe unresolving Plasmodium falciparum malaria following artemisinin combination therapy: Emergence of drug resistance in Saudi Arabia. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2016 Oct-Dec; 34(4): 553-557.