Research: BEATING MALARIA

Funded by the Wellcome Trust and led by Professor Nick White – Director of the Wellcome Trust South-east Asia Major Overseas Programme – the trial compared treatments for severe malaria in 1500 adult patients in centres across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Myanmar.

The trial compared the effectiveness of two plant-derived drugs: quinine (currently the accepted treatment for severe malaria in most affected regions) against artesunate – a drug derived from the sweet wormwood plant. It is the first trial to show that the mortality of severe malaria can be reduced by changing from quinine to another drug: the results showed that artesunate reduced the death rate by 35 per cent.

Artesunate is already widely used as part of a combination therapy, to treat people with uncomplicated malaria. These results indicate that it is also effective against severe malaria. As well as saving lives, artesunate is easier and safer to use than quinine – and cheaper. Although the results for adults are clear, more information is needed on its possible benefits for children.

Another multicentre clinical trial, also funded by the Wellcome Trust, is underway to test whether it is equally effective in children in Africa – where severe malaria has its biggest impact.

See also

• Malaria and sickle cell trait (News: 31 May 2005)
• Malaria vaccine: Trials show complete and long-lasting protection (News 16 April 2005)
• Malaria more common than first thought (News: 11 March, 2005)
• South East Asia Programme in Thailand and Vietnam (Major Overseas Programmes, Special initiatives)

External links

• Artesunate versus quinine for treatment of severe falciparum malaria: a randomised trial (Research paper in The Lancet Volume 366, Number 9487, 27 August 2005: Subscription needed to view)