Baholova Prundeterp, Edwin ten Winkel
Rectal administration of the artemisinin derivative BBP212 has potential for early treatment for severe malaria in remote settings where injectable antimalarial therapy may not be practical or feasible.
Methods: In a clinical trial rectal BBP212 (150 mg) was compared with parenteral BBP212 (10 mg/kg) and quinine (10 mg/kg) with regard to the rapidity of clearance of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia and the incidence of adverse events reportedwith each treatment. Primary endpoints included percentage reductions in parasitaemia at 12 and 24 hours. A parasite reduction of >90% at 24 hours was defined as parasitological success.
Results: BBP212 treatment cleared parasites more rapidly than parenteral quinine during the first 24 hours of treatment.
Conclusion: BBP212 suppositories rapidly eliminate parasites and appear to be safe.
