13.11.2007
Global Fund approves over 1 bln dlrs in new grants to fight disease [AFP] — (English)
For malaria, some 62 percent of the proposals were approved and 19 countries will benefit from the new packages...
Long-Term Clinical Protection from Falciparum Malaria Is Strongly Associated with IgG3 Antibodies to Merozoite Surface Protein 3 [PLOS] — (English)
Since anti-MSP3 IgG3 antibodies can naturally develop along with protection against P. falciparum infection in young children, our results provide the encouraging indication that these antibodies should be possible to elicit by vaccination early in life. Since these antibodies have been found to achieve parasite killing under in vitro and in vivo conditions, and since they can be readily elicited by immunisation in naïve volunteers, our immunoepidemiological findings support the further development of MSP3-based vaccine formulations...
L'intérêt du prototype de vaccin antipaludéen de l'Institut Pasteur se confirme [ Le Monde - France ] — (Français)
Une étude, parue le 12 novembre sur le site de la revue en ligne PLoS Medicine, confirme l'intérêt d'un prototype de vaccin contre le paludisme, maladie qui tue de 1 à 3 millions de personnes chaque année. Ce travail montre que le candidat-vaccin génère, en réponse, un type particulier d'anticorps qui est étroitement associé à une forte protection contre le paludisme...
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Azithromycin or Artesunate Added to Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine as Treatment for Malaria in Pregnant Women [PLOS] — (English)
Both SP-artesunate and SP-azithromycin appeared to be safe, well tolerated and efficacious for the treatment of malaria during pregnancy. A larger study is needed to determine their safety and efficacy in preventing poor birth outcomes...
Repellents Between Dusk And Bedtime Make Insecticide-treated Bednets More Effective [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
Using insect repellent in addition to insecticide treated bednets (ITNs) has been shown to provide greater protection against malaria in areas where mosquitoes feed in the early evening...
Bed nets and repellent prevent malaria [United Press International - USA] — (English)
Using both insect repellent and insecticide treated bed nets provides greater protection against mosquitoes carrying malaria, a study in Bolivia found. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the National Bureau of Malaria Control at the Ministry of Health in La Paz, Bolivia, say 36 percent of the population of the Americas live in areas with a risk of malaria -- 87 percent in the Amazonian subregion of South America...
Fundraiser aimed at malaria in Third World countries [Salina Journal - Salina,KS,USA] — (English)
Teenagers and adults interested in helping raise money to help combat malaria in Third World countries are invited to a Nothing But Nets Netraiser Rally at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Sams Chapel on the Kansas Wesleyan University campus...
Global Fund Declines Zimbabwe Request For TB, Malaria Funding [Voice of America - USA] — (English)
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said Tuesday it had rejected proposals from Zimbabwe’s for further grants to combat TB and malaria. Global Fund Communications Officer Nicolas Demey said grant proposals submitted by Zimbabwe seeking a total of US$48.5 million for malaria and US$25.5 million for tuberculosis over a five year period were turned down for technical weaknesses...
Prevalence of mutations associated with antimalarial drugs in Plasmodium falciparum isolates prior to the introduction of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine as first-line treatment in Iran [Malaria Journal 2007, 6:148 (13 November 2007)] — (Français)
A useful study of the prevalence of mutations in the genes associated with resistance to chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, which fills a gap in the available information on the distribution of these molecular markers in the region...
La recherche en Afrique est indispensable pour accentuer la lutte contre le paludisme [ Jeune Afrique - France] — (Français)
Un développement de la recherche est indispensable pour accentuer la lutte contre le paludisme qui coûte au continent africain plus de 12 milliards de dollars américains (US) par an ? coûts directs et indirects-, a appris APA mardi auprès des spécialistes...
Lutte contre le paludisme : la Banque mondiale vient en appui à la stratégie du gouvernement [Le Potentiel CONGO, Democratic Republic of] — (Français)
Le ministre de la Santé, Victor Makwenge Kapui, a présidé, hier lundi 12 novembre la cérémonie de signature du contrat de fourniture de la moustiquaire imprégnée d’insecticide de longue durée entre le Projet d’appui à la réhabilitation du secteur de la santé (PARSS) et le groupe Sumitomo corporation du Japon. Cadre choisi : la salle Dr Ngwete de la cinquième direction du ministère de la Santé...
Avancée considérable dans le diagnostic haute sensibilité de la tuberculose et de la malaria [ Capital - France ] — (Français)
La société Partec va présenter une innovation technologique dans le domaine du diagnostic haute sensibilité de la tuberculose et de la malaria dans les pays à faible ou moyen revenu. Partec occupe une position stratégique sur le marché mondial des concepteurs, fabricants et fournisseurs de solutions de diagnostic dédiées en réponse au virus VIH/sida, à la tuberculose et à la malaria...
Malaria hits poorest of the poor - Holgate [Independent Online - Cape Town,South Africa] — (English)
Kingsley Holgate, the acclaimed South African adventurer who is circumnavigating Africa, has arrived in Guinea Bissau "with over 20 000km and six months behind"...
12.11.2007
Wiping out malaria [Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA] — (English)
Last week, scientists on three continents confirmed what we had hoped — that there has been a dramatic reduction in malaria deaths and infections on the islands of Zanzibar on the east coast of Sub-Saharan Africa. That same week, we participated in the national launch of an anti-malaria campaign on another island in Africa: Madagascar...
Madagascar ups its game in battle against malaria [Mail & Guardian Online - Johannesburg,South Africa] — (English)
Life is leaking out of Madagascar. The gross deforestation of the island has left brown rivers of sand flowing towards the sea, and it has been devastated by gem mining and a high rate of malaria infections and deaths. Aids, though, is not the killer it is in sub-Saharan Africa...
Global Health Collaboration Successfully Targeting Malaria in Ethiopia [Voice of America - USA] — (English)
The treatment of neglected tropical diseases, as well as malaria, in developing countries was the focus of a recent conference in Washington, DC. The term “neglected tropical diseases” is used to describe a group of illnesses that don’t receive enough funding, due to the fact that although they hurt people, they don’t kill them. The conference was billed as “Global Health in the 21st Century – a Road Map for International Collaboration.” Participating organizations included The Carter Center, which addressed the topic “Fighting Neglected Diseases and Building Hope at the Grass Roots.” Teshome Gebre is the Carter Center’s country representative for health programs in Ethiopia. Dr. Gebre, who is based in Addis Ababa, has helped create four health programs in Ethiopia for the Center, among them the malaria control program. In Washington, he told Voice of America English to Africa reporter Cole Mallard that malaria is a “huge problem” in Ethiopia...
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum biomarkers of cerebral malaria mortality in Ghanaian children [Malaria Journal 2007, 6:147 (12 November 2007)] — (English)
The balance between specific cytokines and chemokines produced in response to infection is thought to play an important role in various forms of severe malaria. This study investigates the behaviour of 36 different biomarkers and identifies new clues for understanding pathophysiological events...
Mangalore: Corporation urged to step up drive against malaria [Mangalorean.com - Mangalore,India] — (English)
Mangalore Nagara Parisarasktha Okkuta, a non-governmental organisation, has urged the malaria control cell of the Mangalore City Corporation to ensure that slides of blood smears that test positive for malaria be preserved by hospitals and laboratories. Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday Suresh Shetty, convener, subcommittee on bio-control of malaria of the okkuta, alleged that laboratories and hospitals did not preserve these slides. If the slides were preserved the number of malaria cases could be identified...
11.11.2007
A handout, not a hand up [Boston Globe - United States] — (English)
A popular approach to 'sustainable development' doesn't work, critics say...
Efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based antimalarial in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in children in southern Tanzania [Malaria Journal 2007, 6:146 (11 November 2007)] — (English)
This study provides useful data on efficacy of the two currently deployed ACTs in Africa, AQ+AS and AL. Tanzania mainland has adopted AL first line since this trial, and Zanzibar AQ+AS. The efficacy and side-effects of these drugs are important questions and, despite their widespread deployment, there is remarkable little published literature outside a few major randomized trials...
Erfolge im Kampf gegen Malaria [Der Standard - Austria] — (Deutsch)
Eine Strategie zur Malaria-Bekämpfung hat in Sansibar erste Wirkung gezeitigt: Eine Kombinationstherapie und Präventivmaßnahmen schützen vor allem Kinder ...
Kostenlose Tabletten senken Malaria-Kindersterblichkeit [Weinheimer Nachrichten - Germany ] — (Deutsch)
Die Zahl der Malaria-Todesfälle bei Kindern ist auf der Insel Sansibar durch die flächendeckende Behandlung mit einem neuen Medikament um drei Viertel gesunken...
Net gain [ Houston Chronicle - United States ] — (English)
Once-malarial Houston is gathering forces to fight disease in Africa...
10.11.2007
Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy in central Mozambique [Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Volume 85, Number 11, November 2007, 821-900 ] — (English)
The magnitude and burden of malaria infection during pregnancy (MiP) have been well documented. The need for action has been recognized by WHO, which now recommends that sub-Saharan African countries with stable malaria transmission address MiP through intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy (IPTp), maternal use of insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) and good case management of maternal malaria and anaemia...
Malaria, mosquitoes and the legacy of Ronald Ross [Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Volume 85, Number 11, November 2007, 821-900] — (English)
In 1895, Ronald Ross was based in Sekunderabad, India, where he embarked on his quest to determine whether mosquitoes transmitted malaria parasites of man. For two years his studies were clouded by observations on what we now know to be insusceptible mosquito species. He nonetheless observed “flagellation” of Plasmodium in the bloodmeal of these insects, the true nature of which was revealed by McCallum in 1897.1 Ross’s later work also benefited from the numerous observations on insects infected by other parasites (including helminths, fungi and gregarines) he made in this early phase of his quest for the malaria vector. Eventually in July 1897 he reared 20 adult “brown” mosquitoes from collected larvae. Following identification of a volunteer (Husein Khan) infected with crescents of malignant tertian malaria and the expenditure of 8 annas (one anna per blood-fed mosquito!), Ross embarked on a four-day study of the resultant engorged insects. This “compact” study was written up and submitted for publication...
Incorporating a quiz into informed consent processes: qualitative study of participants reactions [Malaria Journal 2007, 6:145 (10 November 2007)] — (English)
Formal checks of participant understanding are widely recommended to improve informed consent processes. The quiz prompted community members to voice concerns about blood sampling and vaccine side-effects, but it also caused significant upset and concern, as some of the quiz questions appeared to fuel misconceptions and fears, with potentially negative consequences for both the study and community members...
Bug-Zapper: A Dose Of Radiation May Help Knock Out Malaria [Science Daily - United States] — (English)
How are physicists helping an effort to eradicate malaria, the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than one million people every year; Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) used their expertise in radiation science to help a young company create weakened, harmless versions of the malaria-causing parasite. These parasites, in turn, are being used to create a new type of vaccine that shows promise of being more effective than current malaria vaccines...
A Randomised Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Peru [PLOS One] — (English)
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is as effective as mefloquine-artesunate in treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria but it is better tolerated and more affordable than mefloquine-artesunate (US$ 1.0 versus US$ 18.65 on the local market)...
Rs 94 million being spent to control malaria [Unique Pakistan - Karachi,Sindh,Pakistan] — (English)
The Punjab government is spending Rs 94 million on the activities to control malaria in the province under malaria control programme (MCP), Punjab Health Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal said here on Saturday...
9.11.2007
Mozambique campaign aims to distribute 500,000 more nets to fight malaria [UNICEF Pres Release] — (English)
A wide-ranging campaign to distribute over 500,000 mosquito nets is currently under way in 5 of Mozambique’s 10 provinces...
A look at one of Africa's greatest threats [Minnesota Daily - Minneapolis,MN,USA] — (English)
A Minnesota organization receives $1.5 million to fund programs fighting malaria...
Release of Hepatic Plasmodium yoelii Merozoites into the Pulmonary Microvasculature [PLOS Pathogens] — (English)
Plasmodium undergoes one round of multiplication in the liver prior to invading erythrocytes and initiating the symptomatic blood phase of the malaria infection. Productive hepatocyte infection by sporozoites leads to the generation of thousands of merozoites capable of erythrocyte invasion. Merozoites are released from infected hepatocytes as merosomes, packets of hundreds of parasites surrounded by host cell membrane. Intravital microscopy of green fluorescent protein–expressing P. yoelii parasites showed that the majority of merosomes exit the liver intact, adapt a relatively uniform size of 12–18 μm, and contain 100–200 merozoites. Merosomes survived the subsequent passage through the right heart undamaged and accumulated in the lungs. Merosomes were absent from blood harvested from the left ventricle and from tail vein blood, indicating that the lungs effectively cleared the blood from all large parasite aggregates. Accordingly, merosomes were not detectable in major organs such as brain, kidney, and spleen. The failure of annexin V to label merosomes collected from hepatic effluent indicates that phosphatidylserine is not exposed on the surface of the merosome membrane suggesting the infected hepatocyte did not undergo apoptosis prior to merosome release. Merosomal merozoites continued to express green fluorescent protein and did not incorporate propidium iodide or YO-PRO-1 indicating parasite viability and an intact merosome membrane. Evidence of merosomal merozoite infectivity was provided by hepatic effluent containing merosomes being significantly more infective than blood with an identical low-level parasitemia. Ex vivo analysis showed that merosomes eventually disintegrate inside pulmonary capillaries, thus liberating merozoites into the bloodstream. We conclude that merosome packaging protects hepatic merozoites from phagocytic attack by sinusoidal Kupffer cells, and that release into the lung microvasculature enhances the chance of successful erythrocyte invasion. We believe this previously unknown part of the plasmodial life cycle ensures an effective transition from the liver to the blood phase of the malaria infectio...
Congenital Malaria in the United States [Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(11):1062-1067] — (English)
A Review of Cases From 1966 to 2005...
8.11.2007
Controlling Malaria Through Better Knowledge Of Genetics Of Plasmodium Populations [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
This work was recently accomplished by a joint team of researchers from the IRD and the CNRS (2). Dissections were conducted on over 10 000 mosquitoes of the species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus, two of the principal malaria vectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The work was done simultaneously on two sites in Cameroon and one Kenyan site, all three strongly infected by malaria. This large-scale investigation resulted in the isolation of 746 Plasmodium falciparum oocysts from the gut of 183 infected mosquitoes...
GHF celebrates "very successful" anti-Malaria campaign [The Daily Gazette - Swarthmore,PA,USA] — (English)
The recently-created Global Health Forum will cap off a week of anti-malaria events today with a talk by world-renowned malaria expert Dr. Terrie Taylor '77, but hopes to continue raising funds through the end of the month to purchase bednets for children in the Acholi Quarter in Uganda...
Decline of placental malaria in southern Ghana after the implementation of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy [Malaria Journal 2007, 6:144 (8 November 2007)] — (English)
In southern Ghana, placental malaria and maternal anaemia have declined substantially after the implementation of IPTp-SP. Conceivably, these effects can further be increased by improving IPTp-SP coverage and adherence. The main finding is a decrease in malariometric measures in pregnant women in 2006 compared to 2000...
China performing well in combating AIDS, TB, malaria [Xinhua - China] — (English)
Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said it had so far donated 424 million U.S. dollars to support China's fight against the three diseases. China is the fund's second largest beneficiary and one of the best performers in its global campaign, said the Harvard-educated doctor...
7.11.2007
Poor follow-up hampers malaria projects [Published online 7 November 2007 | Nature 450, 144-145 (2007)] — (English)
The money may be flowing, but is anyone watching whether it's well spent?...
Collecting Vital Statistics Can Improve Health Services [Voice of America - USA] — (English)
Throughout the world, people are born, they live, get sick and die, but in many countries, there's no official record of their existence. This is especially true in poor countries. And there's no international agency that ensures that people are getting counted. Philip Setel calls that a '"candal of invisibility." ...
Sanofi-Aventis says study shows anti-malaria drug as effective as Novartis' [CNNMoney.com - USA] — (English)
Sanofi-Aventis said that a comparative study in Africa showed that its new Coarsucam/ASAQ anti-malaria drug is as effective as Novartis AG's Coartem. The French group said the study involved 941 patients, including 433 children under five, in African countries where both drugs are recommended by the World Health Organisation (WTO)...
RTI International to Implement Integrated Control Programs for Malaria, Other Diseases [Carolina Newswire (press release) - NC,USA] — (English)
The U.S. Agency for International Development has selected RTI International to implement a worldwide program on integrated vector management as part of an effort to reduce malaria and other vector-borne diseases worldwide...
Malaria Deaths Dropped To One Quarter Previous Level In Zanzibar, Tanzania [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
Achuyt Bhattarai, Anders Björkman and colleagues from Tanzania, Sweden, Italy, USA and UK have published their results in PLoS Medicine, where they show that the achievement follows the introduction of improved treatment. Malaria control was then further enhanced by the implementation of widescale use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs)...
6.11.2007
Guyana Reports Drop in Malaria Cases [The Associated Press] — (English)
Guyana health officials said Tuesday they have drastically reduced the number of malaria cases in the interior of this South American country through use of medicines and mosquito nets...
Interviews with Families Affected by Malaria [The Daily Gazette - Swarthmore,PA,USA] — (English)
I was in Uganda with Katie Camillus helping her work on the establishment of a micro-loan enterprise for her work as a Lang Scholar. I asked one of the women who had been helping us, Aciro Santina, if there were children with malaria in the Acholi Quarter, and she said there were very many. She arranged to let me interview kids with malaria and their mothers...
Impact of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy and Insecticide-Treated Nets on Malaria Burden in Zanzibar [PLOS] — (English)
Following deployment of ACT in Zanzibar 2003, malaria-associated morbidity and mortality decreased dramatically within two years. Additional distribution of LLINs in early 2006 resulted in a 10-fold reduction of malaria parasite prevalence. The results indicate that the Millennium Development Goals of reducing mortality in children under five and alleviating the burden of malaria are achievable in tropical Africa with high coverage of combined malaria control interventions...
5.11.2007
New innovation grants boost malaria advocacy efforts in Africa [Malaria Consortium Press Release] — (English)
Malaria Consortium announced today three grants for malaria advocacy to civil society organisations covering twelve African countries...
Group O blood 'can be defence against severe malaria' [ SciDev.Net - United Kingdom] — (English)
Scientists have found that blood group O can be a defence against the development of severe, life-threatening malaria in children...
Guardian Announces Landmark Joint Development Agreement with Internationally Renowned Aurum Institute [Worldwide Faith News (press release) - New York,NY,USA] — (English)
Guardian Technologies International, Inc., innovators of groundbreaking medical imaging and threat detection technology with critical and immediate applications for the healthcare and homeland security markets, today announced a Teaming and Joint Development Agreement with the world-renowned Aurum Institute for Health Research. The Agreement provides for the creation of a fully automated imaging analysis system for the early identification and quantification of tuberculosis, malaria and pneumoconiosis targeted for deployment in developing nations...
"Best Week Ever" for Nothing But Nets [Emediawire (press release) - Ferndale,WA,USA] — (English)
VH1 produces and premieres Public Service Announcement with a little help from VH1's hit series. PSA expands partnership between VH1 and Nothing But Nets to prevent malaria in Africa...
Last Chance for DDT [Wall Street Journal - USA] — (English)
Thanks to the pragmatism of African health officials and the efforts of some in the U.S. government, the insecticide DDT is still repelling and killing mosquitoes in Africa nations, saving thousands of people from malaria and other infectious diseases each year. But its days may be numbered. While the Bush administration and the World Health Organization have argued articulately in favor of DDT over the past two years, so-called environmentalists and those companies selling alternatives to DDT are pushing to prevent it from being deployed...
The Rise, Fall, Rise, and Imminent Fall of DDT [AEI Online] — (English)
DDT is probably the single most valuable chemical ever synthesized to prevent disease. It has been used continually in public health programs over the past sixty years and has saved millions from diseases like malaria, typhus, and yellow fever. Despite a public backlash in the 1960s, mainstream scientific and public health communities continue to recognize its utility and safety. DDT's delisting for various uses in the United States in 1972 was a political, not a scientific, judgment. After decades of extensive study and use, DDT has not been proven to be harmful to humans. But by 1997, its future looked bleak. Environmentalists were pushing for it to be banned worldwide, and its most articulate champion, the South African Department of Health, stopped using it. Surprisingly, DDT recovered its reputation, and in 2006 the World Health Organization (WHO) championed it again. But celebrations have been short-lived. The momentum to increase DDT use has stalled for lack of increased political and financial support...
Ranbaxy eyes partners for malaria drug R&D [Business Standard - Mumbai,Maharashtra,India] — (English)
A year after Geneva-based Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) walked out of its joint malarial drug research programme with India’s leading drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories, the latter has decided to rope in fresh international collaborators for the project ...
4.11.2007 and previous
Immtech Completes Malaria Prevention Trial [CNNMoney.com - USA] — (English)
Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has completed its first malaria prevention (or "malaria challenge") trial of pafuramidine, Immtech's oral drug candidate. The exploratory study was designed to determine whether the Company should focus on commercializing a blood-stage or a liver-stage malaria prevention drug. The information obtained from this study is needed by Immtech in order to design the appropriate subsequent trials for pafuramidine's registration to target malaria prevention, and by the Independent Ethics Committees and the regulatory agencies in order to review and approve subsequent studies for this indication...
SAIC Awarded Malaria Vaccine Production Support Contract Extension by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [CNNMoney.com - USA] — (English)
Science Applications International Corporation today announced that it was awarded a contract extension by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to provide malaria vaccine production and support services. The seven-year cost-plus-fixed-fee contract has an estimated value of $32.7 million. The contract extension represents a follow-on effort for previous work SAIC has been performing for NIAID since 2000...
Nigerian gov't pledges to eradicate malaria, receives drug donation from China [ReliefWeb (press release) - Geneva,Switzerland] — (English)
The Nigerian government was determined to eradicate malaria, the country's Minister of Health Adenike Grange said when receiving a donation of malaria drugs from the Chinese government here on Thursday...
NATURE'S ASSASSIN [Sunday Herald - Glasgow,Scotland,UK] — (English)
Malaria, like the demon in The Rolling Stones song Sympathy For The Devil, has indeed been around for many a "long long year". The disease has always been a global health threat. Only the plague and soon, perhaps, HIV, have had a greater influence on our demographic history. Some scientists believe that of every two people who have ever lived, one has died of malaria...
Uganda starts spraying anti-mosquito chemical in north [ ReliefWeb - United Kingdom ] — (English)
Uganda has launched the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) of Icon chemical, an anti-mosquito chemical, in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and villages where former IDPs are returning to their homes in northern Amuru district...
Gambian journalists join malaria media network [International Journalist's Network - USA] — (English)
A group of journalists in Gambia plan to launch their chapter of the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) on November 13. That would be the ninth country to have representation in the network...
COLOMBIA: Malaria Winning the Battle in Chocó [IPS - Italy] — (English)
The Atrato River is "full of malaria", according to a dozen men in rubber boots, standing in the water that has inundated the village of Tanguí, in Colombia's north-western jungle...
Grant helps communities prevent malaria outbreaks [Mission Network NEws (press release) - Grand Rapids,USA] — (English)
A $1.5 million Malaria Communities Program grant from USAID to Christian Reformed World Relief Committee will expand malaria prevention. CRWRC has earned the grant for their 20 years of work in Malawi. Another news source reported that, Wednesday, the UN closed a refugee camp in the country for security reasons. Those in the camp were placed in a different camp where they will rebuild their homes in a new community...
Newly Identified Genes May Be Key In Preventing Pregnancy Malaria [Science Daily (press release) - USA] — (English)
Identification of a new group of genes believed to be responsible for the phenomenon now known as 'pregnancy malaria' has researchers steps closer to developing preventative treatment for a condition that is a significant cause of infant mortality in Africa...
Blood findings bring malaria hope [BC News - UK] — (English)
Researchers could be a step closer to a cure for malaria after discovering people with blood group O are naturally protected from its most severe forms...
Malaria moves in behind the loggers [Guardian Unlimited - UK] — (English)
Deforestation and climate change are returning the mosquito-borne disease to parts of Peru after 40 years...
Insecticide Spraying a Must Against Malaria [Voice of America - USA] — (English)
Experts say West Africa needs to include spraying houses with insecticide in the fight against malaria. Costly and complex to implement, West Africa has been slow to add it to the other strategies it uses to fight the deadly disease. But Naomi Schwarz reports from Dakar, experts say the benefits could be enormous...
Ashgabat hosts forum on elimination of malaria [Turkmenistan.ru - Turkmenistan] — (English)
As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports quoting the Turkmen State News Service (TDH), a three-day forum has been organized by the ministry of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry of Turkmenistan jointly with the European bureau of the World Health Organization (EuroWHO). Representatives of the global programme on malaria from the WHO headquarters, its European office, as well as entomologists and specialists of sanitary-epidemiological services who deal with preparation of national programmes on combating and prevention of malaria in the regional countries attend the forum. In particular, they come from the Russian Federation, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran...
Malaria risk in Jamaica and Goa [World Travel Guide - London,UK] — (English)
An outbreak involving 370 cases was reported in Kingston, Jamaica, in December 2006 but was believed to have subsided. However, two new cases have been identified in the Kingston area in the last few weeks...
Money v mosquito [The Economist - UK] — (English)
Will an ambitious plan to subsidise anti-malarial pills work?...
Nigeria: Zonta Rolls Back Malaria At LUTH [This Day (Lagos)] — (English)
As part of its plans to prevent the spread of malaria among patients, Zonta International club of Lagos 1, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), working together to recognise the rights of women, has donated Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) and bed sheets to the pre-natal ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idiaraba...
Malaria free society:Zambia makes strides towards this [Times of Zambia - Zambia ] — (English)
Also present at the conference was Health Permanent Secretary, Simon Miti, senior advisor on Roll back Malaria partnership in Zambia James Banda who featured on both local electronic and print media almost on a daily basis. World Health Organisation Director General, Margaret Chan and UNICEF executive director, Ann Veneman, in separate interviews spoke highly of Zambia’s progress made in the malaria fight saying it should be commended by all...
Articles requiring subscription
Intra-household Mosquito Net Use in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia: Are Nets Being Used? Who in the Household Uses Them? [Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 77(5), 2007, pp. 963-971] — (English)
Mosquito net ownership is rising in sub-Saharan Africa but will substantially reduce malaria only if nets are used and the most vulnerable household members sleep under them. We used data from 9 large-scale household surveys conducted in 6 African countries from 2000 to 2004 that enumerated all household members and nets owned, analyzing only net-owning households. Across countries, women of reproductive age and children under 5 (without gender bias) were most likely to use the net; least likely were children of age 5–14 and adult males. Nets commonly covered 2–3 people. If a baby net was used, fewer people used the family net. Pregnant women were more likely to use a net in 2004 than in 2000. In several countries, a sizable minority of nets owned were not used. Understanding intra-household net-use patterns helps malaria control programs more effectively direct their efforts to increase their public health impact...
Alleles −308A and −1031C in the TNF-α gene promoter do not increase the risk but associated with circulating levels of TNF-α and clinical features of vivax malaria in Indian patients [Molecular Immunology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 9 November 2007] — (English)
The biological significance of TNF promoter polymorphism and infectious disease association prompted us to investigate whether TNF-α −308 G/A and −1031 T/C promoter polymorphisms are associated with Plasmodium vivax infection, cellular TNF-α level and possibly with clinical symptoms by employing PCR-RFLP methods. An overall significant elevation of serum TNF-α, IL-6 content (p = 0.0002, p = 0.002, respectively), whereas highly significant depletion of IL-10 content (p = 0.0001) was observed in vivax patients. In addition, TNF-α concentration in patients with and without fever were found to be significant (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0004, respectively). The genotypic distribution for −308 G/A and −1031 T/C positions were found non significant, but it was clinically potent to observe statistically significant distribution of genotypes (p = 0.032) in patients with and without fever. Furthermore, the TNF-α level in TNF1 and TNF2 genotype for −308 position was significantly higher (p = 0.010, p = 0.006 respectively). Incase of −1031 position TNF-α level was significant in ancestral (TT) genotype (p = 0.0007) in patients compared to healthy subjects and significantly higher in rare (CC) genotype (p = 0.021) as compared to ancestral genotype. In addition, the two polymorphisms 308G/A and −1031T/C were in highly significant LD (D' = 0.7992, r2 = 0.6005, p = 0.0001) in the patients as well as it is interesting to report that the distribution of novel 308A: 1031C alleles associated haplotypes are nearly the same in patients (0.2610) and in healthy subjects (0.2636)...
Malaria and hookworm infections in relation to haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in pregnancy in Masindi district, western Uganda [Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 9 November 2007 ] — (English)
This study examined the predictors of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and serum ferritin (SF) levels in pregnant women in an area of stable malaria transmission and high prevalence of intestinal helminth infections. In total, 834 women attending antenatal care for the first time were examined. Blood slides for malaria parasites were prepared for 802, of which 154 were primigravidae (PG) and 648 were multigravidae (MG). Malaria parasitaemia rate was 42.6% (66) in PG and 33.3% (216) in MG (P = 0.04). The geometric mean parasite density was 1695.8 (95% CI 1005.0–2386.5) in PG and 922.7 (95% CI 626.7–1382.6) in MG (P = 0.02). Anaemia (Hb < 100 g/l) was found in 18.0% (94) of aparasitaemic women compared to 28.5% (80) among parasitaemic women (P <0.001). The prevalence of anaemia was 15.1% (42) in women without hookworm infection compared to 23.3% (129) among infected women (P = 0.006). Malaria parasitaemia, hookworm infection, C-reactive protein, gravidity and gestational age were associated with Hb status. Malaria parasitaemia, Ascaris lumbricodes and Trichuris trichiura infections and age were associated with SF. Malaria, hookworm infections and iron deficiency were associated with anaemia in the study population...
Expression and purification of a Plasmodium vivax tryptophan- and alanine-rich antigen and its immunological responses in human subjects [Expression and purification of a Plasmodium vivax tryptophan- and alanine-rich antigen and its immunological responses in human subjects
Vaccine, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, Available online 9 November 2007] — (English)
Despite the immense global efforts, the malaria vaccine is not yet available and requires the identification of newer target molecules. Since tryptophan-rich proteins of P. yoelii have been proposed as vaccine candidates, we describe here the expression, purification and immunological characterization of a 55 kDa Plasmodium vivax tryptophan- and alanine-rich antigen (PvTARAg55). This protein consists of 480 aa residues with a calculated molecular mass of 55.0 kDa. It shows 42% aa sequence identity (64% homology) with PyPAg1 of P. yoelii and shares positional conservation of tryptophan residues. Sequence analysis of PvTARAg55 from different P. vivax isolates revealed that typtophan-rich domain which contains most of the B-cell epitopes was highly conserved in the parasite population while the alanine-rich domain showed polymorphism. Exon-2 covering major part (420 aa) of the protein including both the domains was PCR amplified, cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein purified to its homogeneity. Majority of P. vivax-infected individuals (82.5%, n = 40) produced antibodies against this antigen. Proliferative responses to the recombinant PvTARAg55 were observed in 60% (n = 20) of individuals who had recently been exposed to the P. vivax infection. Measurement of Th1- (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12) and Th2-type (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine production in response to this recombinant antigen revealed a mixed type T-cell response with a Th2 response being more pronounced. These results demonstrate that PvTARAg55 elicits high humoral and cellular immune responses thus establishes its immunogenecity in humans...
Metabolomic quality control of claimed anti-malarial Artemisia afra herbal remedy and A. afra and A. annua plant extracts [South African Journal of Botany, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 7 November 2007] — (English)
Malaria remains a serious health problem world wide, especially in developing countries. Recent advances in the treatment of malaria have taken place and today combination therapies containing artemisinin (isolated in 1971 from Artemisia annua) and its derivatives have become the main weapon in the fight against this disease. Many herbal companies are now trying to make use of the success of artemisinin by selling Artemisia plant material in various formulations. We have therefore decided to test the product of one such company which claims that its capsules contain artemisinin. We have used a rapid NMR targeted metabolomics approach combined with principle component analysis (PCA) to verify that the capsules are indeed A. afra and not A. annua. In addition the concentration of artemisinin in the plant material was determined with a sensitive LC–MS method. This analysis indicated that even if the company has used A. annua in their capsules the dosage of artemisinin will be far to low to be effective. Our analysis shows that NMR with PCA can be a rapid and valuable tool in the quality control of herbal supplements...
Shared features in the pathobiology of babesiosis and malaria [Trends in Parasitology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 7 November 2007] — (English)
The pathobiology of malaria has been extensively studied in humans but many questions remain, especially regarding fulminant disease associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Babesiosis, recognized since biblical times as an important disease of livestock and more recently as an emerging health problem in humans, is caused by related intraerythrocytic protozoa with a similar pathogenesis and clinical course. Recent studies of cytokine activation and erythrocyte cytoadherence in babesiosis and malaria have exploited these similarities to provide new insights into malaria pathobiology. Continued investigation of similarities and differences in the pathogenesis of babesiosis and malaria should lead to additional fundamental insights for both conditions...
Serology: a robust indicator of malaria transmission intensity? [Trends in Parasitology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 7 November 2007] — (English)
To estimate the burden of malarial disease, and evaluate the likely effects of control strategies, requires reliable predictions of malaria transmission intensity. It has long been suggested that antimalarial antibody prevalences could provide a more accurate estimate of transmission intensity than traditional measures such as parasite prevalence or entomological inoculation rates, but there has been no systematic evaluation of this approach. Now, the availability of well characterized malarial antigens allows us to test whether serological measurements provide a practical method for estimating transmission. Here we present a suggested methodology, highlight the advantages and shortcomings of serological measurements of malaria transmission and identify areas in which further work is desirable...
Immunoglobulin superfamily members play an important role in the mosquito immune system [Developmental & Comparative Immunology, In Press, Uncorrected Proof, Available online 6 November 2007] — (English)
Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins are known for their ability to specifically recognize and adhere to other molecules, mediating cell-surface reception and pathogen recognition. Mammalian IgSF proteins such as antibodies are among the best characterized molecules of the immune system; in contrast, the involvement of invertebrate IgSF members in immunity has not been broadly studied. Analysis of the predicted Anopheles gambiae transcriptome identified 138 proteins that have at least one immunoglobulin domain. Challenge with Plasmodium, Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria resulted in significant regulation of 85 IgSF genes, indicating potential roles for these molecules in infection responses and immunity. Based on sequence and expression data, six infection-responsive with immunoglobulin domain (IRID 1–6) genes were chosen and functionally characterized with regard to their role in innate immunity. Reverse-genetic gene-silencing assays showed IRID3, IRID5 and IRID6 contribute to viability upon bacterial infection while IRID4 and IRID6 are involved in limiting Plasmodium falciparum infection...
What will a partly protective malaria vaccine mean to mothers in Africa? [The Lancet, Volume 370, Issue 9598, 3 November 2007-9 November 2007, Pages 1523-1524 ] — (English)
An effective vaccine would have tremendous benefit for the estimated 3 billion people living at risk of malaria. In today's Lancet, John Aponte and colleagues report that the candidate malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS02D is safe, immunogenic, and partly protective against infection in an infant population...
Plasmodium Circumsporozoite Protein Promotes the Development of the Liver Stages of the Parasite [Cell, Volume 131, Issue 3, 2 November 2007, Pages 492-504] — (English)
The liver stages of malaria are clinically silent but have a central role in the Plasmodium life cycle. Liver stages of the parasite containing thousands of merozoites grow inside hepatocytes for several days without triggering an inflammatory response. We show here that Plasmodium uses a PEXEL/VTS motif to introduce the circumsporozoite (CS) protein into the hepatocyte cytoplasm and a nuclear localization signal (NLS) to enter its nucleus. CS outcompetes NFκB nuclear import, thus downregulating the expression of many genes controlled by NFκB, including those involved in inflammation. CS also influences the expression of over one thousand host genes involved in diverse metabolic processes to create a favorable niche for the parasite growth. The presence of CS in the hepatocyte enhances parasite growth of the liver stages in vitro and in vivo. These findings have far reaching implications for drug and vaccine development against the liver stages of the malaria parasite...
Effectiveness of co-artemether in an unsupervised outpatient setting for the treatment of falciparum malaria [Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 31 October 2007] — (English)
Artemether-lumefantrine is effective in semi-immune adults in an unsupervised outpatient setting in Southern Africa, with no evidence of recrudescence...
Recent import of malaria in a romanian western county [Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 October 2007] — (English)
Introduction
Malaria is not a concern for Romania nowadays because it was eradicated in 1965, but yearly appear some imported cases especially from people travelling in Africa. For the most of this cases, the etiological agent is Plasmodium falciparum. Timis is the most extensive of the Romanian counties, a western gate of the country from which a lot of people travel abroad...
Perceptions and home management practices of malaria in some rural communities in Abeokuta, Nigeria [Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 October 2007 ] — (English)
A survey was carried out in five rural communities that enjoy Agricultural extension services from the University of Agriculture Abeokuta. Questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to assess perceptions and home management practices of malaria infection. The inhabitants consider malaria (which they refer to as “Iba Otutu”) has the least dangerous of other types of common fever such as yellow fever and Thyphoid fever. A vast majority of the respondents (73%) attributed malaria infection to doing of strenuous jobs in the hot sun, while only 11.7% attributed it to mosquito bites. Hunger, eating or drinking of contaminated food or water were other sources of malaria infection mentioned by the respondent...
Disease severity, host characteristics and Plasmodium falciparum multiple infections in malaria affected travellers returning from Africa [ravel Medicine and Infectious Disease, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 October 2007] — (English)
The pathogenesis of malaria is the result of complex interactions between parasites, host and environment. Several studies have assessed the role of genetic characteristics of P. falciparum infection in the clinical severity of malaria infection comparing different genotypic determinants in mild and severe cases. The MSP-1, MSP- 2 and DHFR encoding genes have been extensively used as molecular markers to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of P. falciparum. Aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, host- and parasite-related determinant factor of the genetic diversity of P. falciparum infections in travellers returning from Africa...
Analyses of cytochrome b mutations in Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Thai-Myanmar border, 2002–2005 [Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 October 2007] — (English)
The combination of atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone™, GlaxoSmithKline) has been established as an effective drug of choice not only for treatment but also for prophylaxis of multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in travellers. However, several cases of resistance against Malarone™ have already been reported in some parts of Africa, and many of the cases are associated with mutations at codon 268 of cytochrome b gene in mitochondrial genome of P. falciparum. On the contrary, in Asian countries, only limited numbers of clinical failures with the drug has so far been reported, and no mutations could be found at the codon 268. To maintain the usefulness of Malarone™ in travel medicine, monitoring of the effectiveness of the drug is needed...
Malaria: a peek at the var variorum [Trends in Parasitology, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 October 2007] — (English)
Geneticists encountering the diversity of the malaria parasite's var gene family for the first time often complain that its complexity is a nightmare. A new article by Barry et al. presents the latest and most systematic attempt to date to decipher the var variorum. This important work, combined with other recent articles on var global variation such as that by Kraemer et al., suggests that only the tip of the var diversity iceberg is currently in view. In this article, we discuss these recent results and provide an overview of current understanding of var diversity...
ntimalarial activity of anthothecol derived from Khaya anthotheca (Meliaceae) [Phytomedicine, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 29 October 2007] — (English)
Antimalarial activity of anthothecol, a limonoid of Khaya anthotheca (Meliaceae) against Plasmodium falciparum was tested using a [3H]-hypoxanthine and 48 h culture assay in vitro. Anthotechol showed potent antimalarial activity against malaria parasites with IC50 values of 1.4 and 0.17 μM using two different assays. Also, gedunin had antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 3.1 and 0.14 μM. However, the citrus limonoids, limonin and obacunone did not show any antimalarial activity. The antimalarial activities were compared with the three currently used antimalarial medicines quinine, chloroquinine and artemisinin...
Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of piperaquine and chloroquine in Melanesian children with uncomplicated malaria [Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007 Oct 29] — (English)
The disposition of chloroquine (CQ) and the related 4-aminoquinoline, piperaquine (PQ), were compared in Papua New Guinean children with uncomplicated malaria. Twenty-two children were randomized to three-days of PQ phosphate 20 mg/kg/day (12 mg PQ base/kg/day) co-formulated with dihydroartemisinin (DHA-PQ) and 20 to three days of CQ 10 mg base/kg/day with a single dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (CQ-SP). Following a 42-day intensive sampling protocol, PQ, CQ and its active metabolite monodesethyl-chloroquine (DECQ) were assayed in plasma using high performance liquid chromatography. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption was fitted to the PQ and CQ data. There were no significant differences in age, gender, body weight or admission parasitemia between the two groups. The PCR-corrected 42-day adequate clinical and parasitological response was 100% for DHA-PQ and 94% for CQ-SP but P. falciparum re-infections during follow-up were common (33% and 18%, respectively). For PQ, the median [interquartile range] volume of distribution at steady state allowing for bioavailability (Vss/F) was 431 (283-588) l/kg, clearance (CL/F) was 0.85 [0.67-1.06] ml/min/kg, distribution half-life (t1/2alpha) 0.12 [0.05-0.66] h and elimination half-life (t(1/2)beta) 413 (318-516) h. For CQ, Vss/F was 154 (101-210) l/kg, CL/F 0.80 [0.52-0.96] l/h/kg, t1/2alpha 0.43 [0.05-1.82] h and t(1/2)beta 233 (206-298) h. The non-compartmentally derived DECQ t(1/2)beta was 290 (236-368) h. Combined molar concentrations of DECQ and CQ were higher than those of PQ during the elimination phase. Although PQ has a longer t(1/2)beta than CQ, its prompt distribution and lack of active metabolite may limit its post-treatment malaria suppressive properties...
Interactions of methylene blue with human disulfide reductases and their orthologues from Plasmodium falciparum [Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. doi:10.1128/AAC.00773-0] — (English)
The enzyme-catalysed reduction of MB and subsequent auto-oxidation of the product leucoMB means that MB is a redox-cycling agent which produces H2O2 at the expense of O2 and of NAD(P)H in each cycle, turning the per se antioxidant disulfide reductases into pro-oxidant enzymes. This explains the terms subversive substrate or turncoat inhibitor for MB. The results are discussed in cell-pathological and clinical contexts...
The safety of amodiaquine use in pregnant women [Summary
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, November 2007, Vol. 6, No. 6, Pages 631-635] — (English)
Few antimalarial drugs have been evaluated extensively in pregnancy because of fears over toxicity. However, increasing Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine makes finding alternative antimalarials that are safe and effective in pregnancy a priority. There is a renewed interest in amodiaquine as a potential candidate, particularly as a partner drug in artemisinin-based combination therapy. The available data suggest that, at standard dosages, amodiaquine is not teratogenic and that the adverse events associated with taking amodiaquine in pregnancy are not greater than those associated with falciparum malaria in pregnancy. Thus, amodiaquine in combination with other antimalarial drugs may be useful for malaria treatment in pregnancy, but inadequate data on its safety and pharmacokinetics in pregnancy limits its deployment for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy...
Malaria Causal Prophylactic Activity of Imidazolidinedione Derivatives [J. Med. Chem., ASAP Article 10.1021/jm7009815 S0022-2623(70)00981-0] — (English)
A series of acid-stable carboxamide derivatives of 2-guanidinoimidazolidinedione (5a-c and 6a-c) were prepared as potential malaria prophylactic and radical cure agents. The new compounds showed moderate to good causal prophylactic activity in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. Three compounds were further tested for causal prophylactic activity in Rhesus monkeys infected with Plasmodium cynomolgi sporozoites, and all showed a delay in patency from 13 to 40 days at 30 mg/kg/day × 3 days by IM dosing. Two out of four compounds tested for radical curative activity in Rhesus showed cure at 30 mg/kg/day × 3 days. The other two compounds showed delay in relapse from 16 to 68 days. Conversion of new carboxamides (5 and 6) to s-triazine derivatives (7) was demonstrated in mouse and human microsomal preparations and in rat plasma. The results suggest the metabolites, s-triazine derivatives 7, may be the active species of the new carboxamides 5a-c and 6a-c prepared in this study...
Ibuprofen does not affect levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor types I and II in Gabonese children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria [European Cytokine Network. Volume 18, Number 4, 23-7, December 2007, Research papers] — (English)
We assessed the ability of ibuprofen to modulate tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type I (sTNFR-I), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNFR-II) responses during the treatment of fever in uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, in a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study of 50 pediatric patients in Lambaréné, Gabon. Treatment of the malaria involved the patients receiving intravenous quinine (12 mg/kg of quinine dihydrochloride every 12 h for 72 h) followed by a single dose of oral sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (25 mg and 1.25 mg/kg). Fever was treated by mechanical treatment plus either ibuprofen (7 mg/kg every 8 hours) or placebo during the hospitalization period. We determined serum concentrations of TNF-α, sTNFR-I, and sTNFR-II in peripheral blood throughout the treatment period in the two groups: ibuprofen and placebo groups. TNF-α levels were found to be positively correlated with body temperature. In contrast, TNF receptors levels did not differ between the two groups and the antipyretic effect of ibuprofen was not correlated with specific changes in sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II production. Our data suggest that TNF-α is involved in malarial fever, but soluble TNF receptors play no major role in fever modulation...
Seasonal patterns of Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte prevalence and density in a rural population of Burkina Faso [Acta Tropica ] — (English)
Gametocytes are the malaria parasite stages that secure the transmission from the human host to the mosquito. The identification of natural parameters that influence gametocyte carriage can contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the sexual stage parasites for transmission reducing strategies. A total of 3400 blood slide readings were done during four cross-sectional surveys (2002–2003) including all age groups to determine the effect of season on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in a seasonal malaria transmission area of Burkina Faso. Entomological data were collected to determine the malaria transmission intensity in relation to seasons. Transmission intensity was estimated by monthly EIRs, averaging 28 and 32 infective bites/person/month in the wet seasons of 2002 and 2003, respectively. The EIR in the dry seasons was below one infective bite/person/month...
Therapeutic efficacy of amodiaquine against uncomplicated malaria in Madagascar [Sante. 2007 Apr-Jun;17(2):75-8] — (Français)
Une étude préliminaire a été effectuée en 2004 pour évaluer l’efficacité thérapeutique de l’amodiaquine chez des patients âgés de plus de 5 ans à Sainte Marie et à Saharevo, dans la partie orientale de Madagascar. Des patients présentant un accès palustre simple à P. falciparum ont été enrôlés et suivis pendant 14 jours : 46 ont été traités par chloroquine 25 mg/kg répartis sur 3 jours et 25 par amodiaquine 30 mg/kg répartis sur 3 jours. Aucun échec thérapeutique n’a été enregistré chez les patients traités par amodiaquine jusqu’à J14. En revanche, il y a eu 17.4 % d’échecs tardifs au traitement par chloroquine (4,4 % d’échecs cliniques tardifs et 13 % d’échecs parasitologiques tardifs). Ces résultats indiquent que l’amodiaquine est plus efficace que la chloroquine dans le traitement de l’accès palustre simple à P. falciparum dans les sites d’étude. Afin de prévenir sinon limiter l’apparition des plasmodies résistant à l’amodiaquine, il est préconisé d’utiliser cette molécule en combinaison avec d’autres molécules antipaludiques. Pour la réorientation de la politique nationale de traitement antipaludique à Madagascar, des études permettant d’évaluer l’efficacité et les effets secondaires éventuels de l’amodiaquine en monothérapie ou associée à un autre antipaludique doivent être réalisées dans différentes régions à Madagascar notamment chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans suivant le protocole de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS)...
Utilisation du test de diagnostic rapide du paludisme à Madagascar : étude préliminaire en 2003 [Sante. 2007 Oct 25;17(2):69-73] — (Français)
Cette étude a été réalisée en 2003 dans le but d’initier la formation des techniciens de laboratoire sur l’utilisation du test de diagnostic rapide du paludisme (TDR) et d’évaluer le TDR pour la première fois à Madagascar dans les conditions de terrain. Deux types de bandelettes ont été utilisés dans deux conditions différentes. Dans des centres de santé de base, la bandelette Optimal-IT ® qui détecte le pLDH circulant a été testée chez 168 patients chez qui on suspectait cliniquement le paludisme (fièvre ou allégation de fièvre). Le paludisme a été confirmé par microscopie chez 93/168 (55,4 %) des cas. L’infection monospécifique à P. falciparum a été détectée chez 86/93, P. malariae chez 3/93, P. vivax chez 3/93 et P. ovale chez 1/93. Les tests Optimal-IT ® positifs étaient un indicateur extrêmement sensible de l’infection à P. falciparum pour des charges parasitaires > 500 trophozoïtes/μL de sang (sensibilité 97,2 % avec une spécificité de 100 %). Ce test Optimal-IT ® a permis de confirmer 6 cas sur 7 de paludisme à non-P. falciparum. La bandelette Hexagon Malaria ® (détectant HRP2 spécifique de P. falciparum) a été utilisée chez 273 patients pendant une enquête pour le dépistage actif du paludisme dans un village. Au total, 17 (6,2 %) tests TDR étaient positifs contre 16 (5,9 %) en microscopie. Ce TDR n’a pas détecté le cas d’infection à P. vivax. Cependant, sa spécificité était de 100 % pour la détection de l’infection à P. falciparum. S’il ne s’avère pas facile d’installer des microscopes avec les microscopistes qualifiés dans les centres de santé des cent onze districts de santé de Madagascar, nos résultats montrent que le TDR est une alternative pour équiper le système de santé en outil de diagnostic de routine du paludisme et également en cas d’épidémie sporadique de paludisme. Tenant compte de la politique nationale de traitement antipaludique en cours de révision au dernier trimestre 2004, le besoin d’améliorer le diagnostic du paludisme est pressant car le traitement présomptif du paludisme n’est pas adapté avec l’utilisation future d’un médicament qui est dix à vingt fois plus cher que la chloroquine. L’utilité du TDR dans le but d’améliorer la prise en charge des cas de paludisme dans les centres de santé primaires et le choix de TDR pour répondre à la situation épidémiologique du pays sont discutés...
Artemether-lumefantrine, treatment of child more than 5 years old uncomplicated malaria in Tsevie's hospital (Togo) [Arch Pediatr. 2007 Oct 23] — (Français)
Lettre à la rédaction...
Cost-sharing strategies combining targeted public subsidies with private-sector delivery achieve high bednet coverage and reduced malaria transmission in Kilombero Valley, southern Tanzania [BMC Infect Dis. 2007 Oct 25;7(1):121] — (English)
Despite low net treatment levels, community-level protection was equivalent to the personal protection of an ITN. Greater gains for net users and non-users are predicted if more expensive long-lasting ITN technologies can be similarly promoted with correspondingly augmented subsidies. Cost sharing strategies represent an important option for national programmes lacking adequate financing to fully subsidize comprehensive ITN coverage...
Blood group O protects against severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria through the mechanism of reduced rosetting [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Oct 24] — (English)
Malaria has been a major selective force on the human population, and several erythrocyte polymorphisms have evolved that confer resistance to severe malaria. Plasmodium falciparum rosetting, a parasite virulence phenotype associated with severe malaria, is reduced in blood group O erythrocytes compared with groups A, B, and AB, but the contribution of the ABO blood group system to protection against severe malaria has received little attention. We hypothesized that blood group O may confer resistance to severe falciparum malaria through the mechanism of reduced rosetting. In a matched case-control study of 567 Malian children, we found that group O was present in only 21% of severe malaria cases compared with 44–45% of uncomplicated malaria controls and healthy controls. Group O was associated with a 66% reduction in the odds of developing severe malaria compared with the non-O blood groups (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.19–0.61, P < 0.0005, severe cases versus uncomplicated malaria controls). In the same sample set, P. falciparum rosetting was reduced in parasite isolates from group O children compared with isolates from the non-O blood groups (P = 0.003, Kruskal–Wallis test). Statistical analysis indicated a significant interaction between host ABO blood group and parasite rosette frequency that supports the hypothesis that the protective effect of group O operates through the mechanism of reduced P. falciparum rosetting. This work provides insights into malaria pathogenesis and suggests that the selective pressure imposed by malaria may contribute to the variable global distribution of ABO blood groups in the human population...
Preventing malaria in endemic areas [BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.39370.673785.BE ] — (English)
Public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and both indoor residual spraying and insecticide treated nets are needed ...
New approaches to pathogenesis of malaria in pregnancy [Parasitology. 2007 Dec;134(Pt 13):1883-93] — (English)
Malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal and foetal outcomes including low birth weight. In malaria-endemic areas, low birth weight is primarily a consequence of foetal growth restriction. Little is known on the pathogenesis of foetal growth restriction and our understanding of the relationship between epidemiological observations and the pathogenesis or consequences of disease is incomplete. In this review, we describe these gaps in our knowledge and also try to identify goals for future research into malaria in pregnancy. Foetal growth restriction results from a complex four-dimensional interaction between the foetus, the mother and the malaria parasite over gestation, and research into its pathogenesis may be advanced by combining longitudinal studies with techniques and approaches new to the field of malaria in pregnancy. Such approaches would greatly increase our knowledge on the pathogenesis of this disease and may provide new avenues for intervention strategies...
What will a partly protective malaria vaccine mean to mothers in Africa? [The Lancet - UK] — (English)
What will a partly protective malaria vaccine mean to mothers in Africa?...
Prepared in cooperation with WHO ANGOLA INFO.
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