malarial therapy

Therapy of Malaria Besides symptomatic measures to reduce fever and overcome nausea, drugs are available, used in accordance
with the various species of plasmodia and their resistances. In infections that are not caused by Plasmodium falciparum (but by P. vivax, P. ovale or P. malariae), chloroquine (Resochin®, Aralen®) is an effective therapy. If resistances are suspected or treatment proves to be ineffective, mefloquine (Lariam®,
Mephaquin®), atovaquon + proguanil (Malarone®)
or artemether + lumefantrine (Riamet®) can be used.
Following an infection with Plasmodium ovale or P. vivax,
primaquine should be administered for recidivist
prophylaxis.
During pregnancy, quinine (Quinora®, Quinerva®, QM-260®) can be given intravenously or orally, alternatively,
mefloquine can be given after the onset of the
second trimester. Due to the risk in pregnant women
and the danger of hypoglycemia, close monitoring is
necessary, particularly of blood sugar levels. Quinine +
doxycycline or clindamycin is effective therapy for an
infection with Plasmodium falciparum, or artemether
+ lumefantrine or atovaquon + proguanil can be used.
In complicated cases, in-patient care is necessary, and
even intensive care measures may become essential.
In developing countries, the restricted availability of
drugs and the lack of medical supplies limit therapeutic
possibilities and are responsible for a great number
of deaths from malarial infections. Travelers in these
countries may resort to self treatment – standby- or
self-therapy of malaria. Without medical treatment,
the duration of a malarial infection varies depending
upon the species of plasmodia involved; Plasmodium falciparum 1–2 years, Plasmodium vivax or P. ovale
1.5–5 years and Plasmodium malariae can take up to
50 years.
In conclusion, malaria is an infectious disease that is
caused by various plasmodia species that are found in
tropical areas and which is transmitted by the bite of
the Anopheles mosquito. The infection is of great significance
in malaria-endemic regions. It is characterized
by recurrent fever attacks and can take a serious or even
deadly course. On the one hand, measures of protection
aim at the avoidance of insect bites (use of insecticides,
mosquito nets, suitable clothing), and on the other hand,
medicinal prophylaxis can be performed, especially on
travelers to malaria-endemic regions. Malaria can be
treated with different effective drugs, the availability of
which might be restricted in developing countries.