Clinical Analysis of 87 Cases with Falciparum Malaria

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of falciparum malaria and to facilitate its earlier diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Eighty seven cases of falciparum malaria between Apr.2004 and Dec.2004 in the area of UN peacekeeping in West Africa were reviewed.Randomization and comparison methods were used in 87 falciparum malaria cases,Among them 46 cases were treated with artemether(80 mg,intramuscularly,qd×7 d)combined with primaquine(22.5 mg orally 50 mg,qd×8 d),41 cases received single artemether were taken as control.All of them had follow-up after treatment.The clinical symptoms and the side effects of drugs were observed.Results:The clinical manifestation mostly were fever,chill,headache,aching pain in muscle and joints,fatigue.In combined group and control group,clinical cure rates were 100% and 95.1%,the mean fever clearance time were 43.7±10.3 hours and 45.6±14.7 hours,with an average parasite clearance time of 29.3±8.9 hours and 31.6±9.7 hours,relapse rates 6.5% and 29.3% respectively.Conclusion:The key procedures for treating falciparum malaria are earlier diagnosis and effective therapy.Artemether shows high efficacy in falciparum malaria cases and low side effects.Combined methods are more effective in reducing relapse rate of malaria.