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Studies on Plasmodium vivax relapse pattern in Kheda district, Gujarat
H C Srivastava1, S K Sharma, R M Bhatt
1Malaria Research Centre (Field Station), Civil Hospital, Nadiad, India.
Indian Journal of Malariology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Primaquine radical treatment significantly reduced Plasmodium vivax malaria relapses compared to chloroquine. A five-day primaquine course is effective in preventing malaria relapses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Plasmodium vivax malaria is characterized by relapses due to dormant liver stages (hypnozoites).
- Effective radical treatment is crucial to prevent these relapses and transmission.
- Understanding relapse patterns informs optimal treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relapse patterns of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Gujarat, India.
- To compare the efficacy of different treatment regimens in preventing relapses.
- To identify factors influencing relapse rates.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted in five villages of Nadiad taluka, Kheda district, Gujarat.
- Patients with P. vivax malaria were treated with chloroquine alone, chloroquine plus pyrimethamine, or a five-day primaquine course.
- Relapse rates were monitored and compared across treatment groups and age demographics.
Main Results:
- Chloroquine and chloroquine-pyrimethamine regimens showed high relapse rates (28.31% and 27.73%).
- A five-day primaquine course resulted in a significantly lower relapse rate (5.78%).
- Short-term relapses (2-3 months) were common; primaquine effectively prevented consecutive relapses.
Conclusions:
- Primaquine, administered as a five-day radical treatment, is highly effective in preventing P. vivax malaria relapses (>90% efficacy).
- Chloroquine-based treatments are less effective in preventing relapses in this region.
- Timely radical treatment with primaquine is essential for minimizing malaria relapse proportions.