Methylene Blue Against Vivax Malaria in Ethiopia

Feasibility of methylene blue-based combination therapy in the radical treatment of adult patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria in Ethiopia: a randomised controlled pilot trial Study rationale: Elimination has become the goal of malaria programmes in an increasing number of endemic countries and regions. Primaquine (PQ) is the only registered drug for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Prolonged PQ-based combination therapy carries safety concerns and resistance to chloroquine (CQ) and PQ is emerging. Methylene blue (MB) has recently been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in West Africa. As there is evidence for MB probably being effective against the hypnozoites of Plasmodium vivax, MB-based drug regimens could be an alternative to PQ-based combination therapy in Plasmodium vivax malaria. Study objectives: The main objective of this trial is to study the feasibility of MB-based combination therapy in patients with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria in an endemic area of Ethiopia.