Azithromycin prophylaxis against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum.

Kuschner, R A; Heppner, D G; Andersen, S L; Wellde, B T; Hall, T; Schneider, I; Ballou, W R; Foulds, G et al. · Lancet · 1994

rct · Level II

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Abstract

Azithromycin has antimalarial activity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties for a prophylactic antimalarial agent. We investigated the ability of azithromycin to prevent malaria in volunteers infected with a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. 4 volunteers received oral azithromycin 500 mg followed by 250 mg daily for 7 further days. Subjects were infected on the third day of azithromycin. 3 subjects were protected compared with none of 15 controls. The volunteer not protected by azithromycin had unquantifiable plasma levels of azithromycin, probably because of poor absorption. Azithromycin could be a promising prophylactic agent for P falciparum malaria.

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