Quinine alone versus quinine plus a pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine combination in the treatment of Plasmodium faliciparum cerebral malaria.

Fifty-two patients with severe chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria were treated in a randomized double blind study with either quinine and a single dose of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar) or quinine alone. Although no statistically significant differences were observed, the 25 patients who received both drugs responded faster and had a more favorable outcome (no deaths) when compared to the 27 who received quinine alone (2 deaths).