Treatment of Uncomplicated P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae or P. knowlesi Malaria in Chloroquine-Susceptible Areas
This first-line protocol applies to adults and children presenting with uncomplicated malaria caused by P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, or P. knowlesi in geographic areas where chloroquine-susceptible infections predominate.
Clinical Scenario
The patient has uncomplicated blood-stage infection with one of the non-falciparum species — P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, or P. knowlesi — confirmed in a setting where local parasites remain susceptible to chloroquine. Severity criteria for complicated malaria are absent.
Treatment Approach
Blood-stage infection is addressed with either an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) or oral chloroquine; the choice of agent, sequencing, and complete dosing schedule are detailed in the full protocol.
Full regimen, dosing, and duration available via the structured protocol below.
Treatment Goal
Success is defined as keeping rates of recurrent parasitaemia of any origin below 10% within 28 days of initiating treatment.
References
- In areas with chloroquine-susceptible infections, adults and children with uncomplicated P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae or P. knowlesi malaria should be treated with either an ACT or chloroquine.
- For chloroquine-sensitive vivax malaria, oral chloroquine at a total dose of 25 mg base/kg bw is effective and well tolerated.
- The blood stages of P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi should therefore be treated with the standard regimen of ACT or chloroquine, as for vivax malaria.
- Current methods do not distinguish recrudescence from relapse or relapse from newly acquired infection, but the aim of treatment is to ensure that the rates of recurrent parasitaemia of any origin is < 10% within 28 days.
View source ↗