LAUSR

ObjectivesIn endemic countries with a high level of chloroquine resistance, Plasmodium vivax malaria is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In these areas, the dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine combination resulted in clinical response, a more rapid clearance of parasitaemia, compared to chloroquine therapies, and reduction of recrudescence or reinfection.MethodsWe describe five cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria in returning travelers treated with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine.ResultsAll patients showed the early parasite clearance and no side effects. Our preliminary results suggest that the dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine combination is effective and safe even in imported cases.ConclusionsA unified treatment policy using the artemisinin combination therapy should be adopted even in non-endemic countries and larger studies are underway to support this strategy.