Community management of anti-malarials in Africa and iatrogenic risk

J Trop Pediatr. 2011 Jun;57(3):225-6. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmq074. Epub 2010 Aug 31.

Abstract

Distribution of anti-malarials at the community level is one of the interventions recommended to reduce mortality from febrile illnesses. Inappropriate treatment of fever with anti-malarials may result in missed diagnosis and delays in appropriate treatments including consideration of other illnesses than malaria. We report the case of an 8-year-old black girl receiving prophylaxis with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine from the caretaker of the community during her holidays in Ivory Coast. A persistent fever suspected to be due to malaria was treated inappropriately with atovaquone-proguanil and then with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine again. Cumulative toxicity of anti-malarials leads to irreversible hepatic damages requiring hepatic transplantation. Community caretakers must be aware of the potential side effects and the contraindications of anti-malarials. Early identification of drug-induced toxicity and immediate discontinuation of the drug are the more effective tools to limit the progression of tissue damage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / adverse effects*
  • Atovaquone / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Community Health Services
  • Contraindications
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Diagnostic Errors / adverse effects*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Liver Failure, Acute / chemically induced*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis
  • Malaria / diagnosis*
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Proguanil / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimethamine / adverse effects*
  • Sulfadoxine / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Drug Combinations
  • atovaquone, proguanil drug combination
  • fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination
  • Sulfadoxine
  • Proguanil
  • Atovaquone
  • Pyrimethamine