Reduction of the efficacy of antifolate antimalarial therapy by folic acid supplementation

Jane Y. Carter, Mores P. Loolpapit, Orgenes E. Lema, Julius L. Tome, Nico J.D. Nagelkerke, William M. Watkins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Malaria and anemia are common conditions in patients presenting to outpatient clinics in Kenya. Anemia is usually due to malaria infection with underlying micronutrient deficiency. Iron therapy has been shown to enhance recovery from anemia in children with malaria, without affecting malaria treatment. Iron and folic acid are often prescribed together for anemic individuals. Until recently in Kenya, the drug of first choice for non-severe malaria was sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), an antifolate antimalarial drug. In this study, 303 patients of all ages with anemia and uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria attending an outpatient clinic in an area of seasonal malaria were treated with SP and iron, and were randomized to receive folic acid. Parasite clearance rates were measured using a survival analysis plot for both parasitologic and clinical failure. There was a significant reduction in the efficacy of SP in patients taking standard therapeutic doses of folic acid using the survival curve for parasitologic failure (P < 0.0001), but no difference for clinical failure (P = 0.7008). Folic acid supplementation did not enhance recovery from anemia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)166-170
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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