The response of a case of multidrug-resistant, Plasmodium falciparum malaria to an unusual combination of antimalarial drugs

Multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a world-wide problem (Wernsdorfer and Payne 1991). In many countries the common practice of deploying antimalarial drugs one by one in the treatment of P. falciparum malaria is no longer rational. Even artemisinin and its derivatives-usually among the most rapidly acting and effective drugs-are not always effective against P. falciparum. Three cases of the recrudescence of P. falciparum malaria following treatment with artemether have been reported in Mumbai India for example (Gogtay et al. 2000). The present report is of a case of multi- resistant P. falciparum malaria and represents the first published report of such malaria in Jharkhand state north-eastern India. In the description of the case the timings of treatments and follow-ups are given relative to the day of initial presentation (day 0). (excerpt)