Development of Resistance Against Mefloquine Prophylaxis in Peace-Keeping Forces in the Central African Republic

Objective To record the frequency of malaria-like symptoms in patients who have been given mefloquine as chemoprophylaxis and to determine the effectiveness of antimalarials against these symptoms. Methodology It was an observational study that took place at a United Nations Level 1 hospital, Kaga-Bandoro, Central African Republic. The total duration of the study was three months. Patients presenting to the clinic with multiple symptoms despite chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine were assessed through a physical examination and screening test for malaria. Malaria treatment with a six-dose regimen of artemether (20 mg), along with lumefantrine (120 mg) two tablets BD for three days, was given after informed consent to those patients and post-treatment symptoms were observed and recorded. Results Out of 61 patients, 93% of them presented with body aches, 92% with headache, 52% with shivering, 44% with vertigo, 38% with fever, sweating, and nausea/vomiting, 18% with diarrhea, and 10% with pain in the abdomen. Conclusion It had been seen that patients presented with symptoms despite standard mefloquine prophylactic therapy, which were resolved with other antimalarial drugs. The presentation of the symptoms was also not classical.