Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Mali

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum (malaria) to current antimalarial drugs and the continuing development of resistance to new antimalarial formulations is one of the major obstacles to effective malaria control and case management. Efficient, comprehensive and validated methods for monitoring drug resistance in advance of the development of resistance to the antimalarial drugs that are in use are urgently needed. Molecular markers of genetic polymorphisms that give rise to resistant P. falciparum parasites and methods in population genetics for evaluating the data can be valuable tools for monitoring drug resistance in the field. This study aims to: 1. Prospectively measure the in vivo response of P. falciparum malaria in Mali to several different antimalarial drugs and drug combinations: chloroquine (CQ), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), amodiaquine (AQ), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in combination with amodiaquine (SP/AQ), amodiaquine in combination with artesunate (AQ/AS), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in combination with artesunate (SP/AS), and artemether-lumefantrine (Co-artem). In one site with preliminary data showing a high rate of P. falciparum resistance to mefloquine (MQ), this drug will also be tested. 2. Measure the frequencies of molecular markers for antimalarial drug resistance, and examine how those results relate to the efficacy of these drugs in treating clinical malaria 3. Measure drug levels at 3 days and correlate with efficacy results. 4. Examine early clinical, parasitologic, and clinical predictors of late treatment failure. 5. Use the knowledge gained in Aims 1-3 to develop a molecular tool for a countrywide resistance surveillance system for antimalarial drugs.
ConditionMalaria
InterventionDrug: chloroquine
Drug: sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
Drug: amodiaquine
Drug: amodiaquine+artesunate
Drug: amodiaquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
Drug: sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine+artesunate
Drug: artemether-lumefantrine
Drug: mefloquine
PhaseN/A
SponsorCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Responsible PartyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00127998
First ReceivedJuly 7, 2005
Last UpdatedAugust 15, 2006
Last verifiedAugust 2006

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateJuly 7, 2005
Last Updated DateAugust 15, 2006
Start DateJuly 2005
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Current Primary Outcome Measures
  • Early Treatment Failure (ETF, defined as: Development of danger signs or severe malaria on Day 1, 2, or 3, in the presence of parasitemia
  • Parasitemia on Day 2 higher than Day 0 count irrespective of axillary temperature
  • Parasitemia on Day 3 with axillary temperature ≥37.5°C
  • Parasitemia on Day 3 ≥ 25% of count on Day 0
  • Late Clinical Failure (LCF), defined as: Development of danger signs or severe malaria from Day 4 to Day 28 in the presence of parasitemia, without previously meeting any of the criteria of ETF
  • Presence of parasitemia and axillary temperature ≥37.5° C on any day from Day 4 to Day 28, without previously meeting any of the criteria of ETF
  • Late parasitological failure (LPF), defined as: Presence of parasitemia on Day 14 to Day 28 and axillary temperature <37.5°C without previously meeting any of the criteria of ETF or LCF
  • Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR), defined as: Absence of parasitemia on Day 28 irrespective of axillary temperature, without previously meeting any of the criteria of ETF, LCF or LPF
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Frequencies of dhfr, dhps, pfcrt and pfmdr1 P. falciparum genotypes and relationship with in vivo resistance to SP (dhfr and dhps), CQ, AQ, SP/AQ, AQ/AS, SP/AS, and MQ
  • Drug levels at 3 days and correlation with in vivo efficacy results

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleAntimalarial Drug Resistance in Mali
Official TitleCharacterization of Novel Molecular Tools for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Mali
Brief Summary
Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum (malaria) to current antimalarial drugs and the
continuing development of resistance to new antimalarial formulations is one of the major
obstacles to effective malaria control and case management. Efficient, comprehensive and
validated methods for monitoring drug resistance in advance of the development of resistance
to the antimalarial drugs that are in use are urgently needed. Molecular markers of genetic
polymorphisms that give rise to resistant P. falciparum parasites and methods in population
genetics for evaluating the data can be valuable tools for monitoring drug resistance in the
field. This study aims to:

1. Prospectively measure the in vivo response of P. falciparum malaria in Mali to several
different antimalarial drugs and drug combinations: chloroquine (CQ),
sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), amodiaquine (AQ), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in
combination with amodiaquine (SP/AQ), amodiaquine in combination with artesunate
(AQ/AS), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in combination with artesunate (SP/AS), and
artemether-lumefantrine (Co-artem). In one site with preliminary data showing a high
rate of P. falciparum resistance to mefloquine (MQ), this drug will also be tested.

2. Measure the frequencies of molecular markers for antimalarial drug resistance, and
examine how those results relate to the efficacy of these drugs in treating clinical
malaria

3. Measure drug levels at 3 days and correlate with efficacy results.

4. Examine early clinical, parasitologic, and clinical predictors of late treatment
failure.

5. Use the knowledge gained in Aims 1-3 to develop a molecular tool for a countrywide
resistance surveillance system for antimalarial drugs.
Detailed Description
Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to current antimalarial drugs and the continuing
development of resistance to new antimalarial formulations is one of the major obstacles to
effective malaria control and case management. Parasite populations are highly resistant to
chloroquine on an almost worldwide basis (Central America and Haiti being the exceptions)
and resistance to the next line of treatment, SP, is widespread in Asia and large parts of
East Africa and South America. SP is also now recommended for use as intermittent
preventative treatment (IPT) in pregnancy, which adds to concerns about the development and
spread of SP resistance. More expensive combination drug therapy using artesunate and other
antimalarials in combination is increasingly being recommended in an effort to extend the
useful life of drugs and to slow the spread of antimalarial drug resistance. In all
likelihood, resistance will eventually emerge for any new single drug or combination
formulation that we deploy in the field.

Given the above, efficient, comprehensive and validated methods for monitoring drug
resistance in advance of the development of resistance to the antimalarial drugs that are in
use are urgently needed. Such methods would help malaria control and prevention programs in
guiding national treatment recommendations and policies. Integrating laboratory expertise,
analytic methods based on population genetics, and more traditional methods of surveillance
for anti-malarial drug resistance (e.g. in vivo drug efficacy studies) and networking with
national and international partners will result in a multidisciplinary, geographically
diverse team approach to assessing and monitoring drug resistant malaria, as well as
developing and validating molecular methods. This type of effort will greatly assist in
maximizing the useful life span of antimalarial drugs and in providing evidence-based
guidance for drug policy decisions.

Specific Aims:

1. Prospectively measure the in vivo response of P. falciparum malaria in Mali to CQ, SP,
AQ, SP/AQ in combination, AQ/artesunate (AS) in combination, SP/AS, and
artemether-lumefantrine (Co-artem). In one site with preliminary data showing a high
rate of P. falciparum resistance to MQ, MQ will also be tested.

2. Measure the frequencies of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr), dihydropteroate synthetase
(dhps), P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) and P. falciparum
multi-drug resistant (pfmdr 1) genotypes and establish their relationship with in vivo
resistance to SP (dhfr and dhps), CQ, AQ, SP/AQ, AQ/AS, SP/AS, and MQ.

3. Measure drug levels at 3 days and correlate with in vivo efficacy results.

4. Examine early clinical, parasitologic, and clinical predictors of late treatment
failure.

5. Use the knowledge gained in Aims 1-3 to develop a molecular tool for a countrywide
resistance surveillance system for SP, AQ, and MQ.

Study Design:

The study will entail two consecutive years of prospective 28 day in vivo drug efficacy
studies carried out during the rainy season in three different malaria transmission sites:
Koro (rural town with 71% of resistance to MQ at a lower dose of 15 mg/kg), Pongono (rural
town with little exposure to antimalarials) and Faladje (rural village with > 30% of
chloroquine resistance). Children aged 6-59 months with clinical symptoms consistent with
malaria will be enrolled in the study after screening for fever (axillary temperature >=37.5
C) and malaria asexual parasites identified by microscopic examination of thick blood films.

Blood spotted onto filter papers will be collected prior to treatment and during follow up.
These filter paper samples will be used for the molecular detection of drug
resistance-conferring gene polymorphisms as well as the HPLC detection and quantification of
the respective drugs and their relevant metabolites. In vivo data interpretation will be
done using the WHO 28-day protocol (WHO, 2003) and molecular markers will be used for the
determination of the genotype resistance index (GRI). Venous blood will be collected at
enrollment and at the time of in vivo failure to measure in vitro drug efficacy and
cryopreserve parasites to search for novel molecular markers to new antimalarial drugs.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionMalaria
InterventionDrug: chloroquine
Drug: sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
Drug: amodiaquine
Drug: amodiaquine+artesunate
Drug: amodiaquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
Drug: sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine+artesunate
Drug: artemether-lumefantrine
Drug: mefloquine
Study Arm (s)Not Provided

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment1011
Estimated Completion DateNot Provided
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Aged 6-59 months

- Absence of severe malnutrition (defined as a child whose weight-for-height is below 3
standard deviations of less than 70% of the median of World Health Organization (WHO)
reference values, or who has symmetrical edema involving at least the feet)

- A slide-confirmed infection with P. falciparum only (i.e. no mixed infections)

- Initial parasite density between 2,000 and 200,000 asexual parasites per microliter.

- Absence of general danger signs among children < 5 years (inability to drink or
breastfeed; vomiting everything; recent history of convulsions; lethargy or
unconsciousness; inability to sit or stand up) or other signs of severe and
complicated falciparum malaria according to WHO definitions

- Measured axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C

- Ability to attend stipulated follow-up visits

- Informed consent provided by parent/guardian

- Absence of history of hypersensitivity reactions to any of the drugs being evaluated

Exclusion Criteria:

- Aged < 6 or >59 months

- Severe malnutrition (defined as a child whose weight-for-height is below 3 standard
deviations of less than 70% of the median of WHO reference values, or who has
symmetrical edema involving at least the feet)

- No slide confirmed infection with P. falciparum or a mixed infection that includes a
non P. falciparum species

- Initial parasite density < 2,000 or > 200,000 asexual parasites per microliter.

- Presence of general danger signs among children < 5 years (inability to drink or
breastfeed; vomiting everything; recent history of convulsions; lethargy or
unconsciousness; inability to sit or stand up) or other signs of severe and
complicated falciparum malaria according to WHO definitions

- Measured axillary temperature <37.5 °C

- Inability to attend stipulated follow-up visits

- Unwilling to provide informed consent provided by parent/guardian

- History of hypersensitivity reactions to any of the drugs being evaluated
GenderBoth
Ages6 Months
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesMali

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00127998
Other Study ID NumbersCDC-NCID-4314
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNot Provided
Information Provided ByCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Study SponsorCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
CollaboratorsMalaria Research and Training Center, Bamako
Investigators Principal Investigator: Robert D. Newman, MD, MPH Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPrincipal Investigator: Kassoum Kayentao, MD, MSPH Malaria Research and Training Center, BamakoPrincipal Investigator: John Barnwell, PhD, MPH Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPrincipal Investigator: Ogobara Doumbo, MD, PhD Malaria Research and Training Center, Bamako
Verification DateAugust 2006

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Faladje Missionary Dispensary
Faladje, Mali
Koro Health Center
Koro, Mali
Pongono Community Health Center
Pongono, Mali