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Søgeord (malaria) valgt.
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BMC Infectious Diseases, 22.10.2024
Tilføjet 22.10.2024
Abstract Malaria is a potentially fatal infective illness caused due to parasites that belong to the Plasmodium genus, which are transferred to humans with the help of the stings of affected female Anopheles mosquitoes, and it persists as a serious public wellness problem worldwide. Cordia myxa is a medicinal plant that possesses various medicinal characteristics like antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities, which makes it an important natural resource for the therapy of different maladies in traditional medicine. In this investigation, a certain network pharmacology method has been utilized to identify the potent active components, possible targets as well as signaling pathways present in C. myxa in relation to malaria therapy. The active compounds were submitted to molecular docking approaches to validate their successful activity against the potential targets. The study concluded that three constituents named cosmosiin, stigmastanol, robinetin, and quercetin were highly active and could regulate the expression of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (CASP3), which may act as a potential therapeutic target for malaria treatment. These analyses are validated by molecular dynamics simulation which reflects on the overall structural stability of the intermolecular conformation and interactions. These results can also be witnessed in simulation-based trajectories binding free energies, which concluded the significant role of electrostatic and van der Waals energies in total intermolecular interactions. Finally, we utilized machine learning to predict the anti-malarial activity of C. myxa compounds, comparing them with approved drugs. Using the Chemprop model and MAIP predictions, we assessed ten compounds, revealing their potential as lead anti-malarial agents. This study establishes a groundwork for comprehending the function of the anti-malaria action of C. myxa.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedPaul Taconet, Barnabas Zogo, Ludovic P. Ahoua Alou, Alphonsine Amanan Koffi, Roch Kounbobr Dabiré, Cedric Pennetier, Nicolas Moiroux
PLoS One Infectious Diseases, 22.10.2024
Tilføjet 22.10.2024
by Paul Taconet, Barnabas Zogo, Ludovic P. Ahoua Alou, Alphonsine Amanan Koffi, Roch Kounbobr Dabiré, Cedric Pennetier, Nicolas Moiroux Background Understanding how weather and landscape shape the fine-scale distribution and diversity of malaria vectors is crucial for efficient and locally tailored vector control. This study examines the meteorological and landscape determinants of (i) the spatiotemporal distribution (presence and abundance) of the major malaria vectors in the rural region of Korhogo (northern Côte d’Ivoire) and (ii) the differences in vector probability of presence, abundance, and diversity observed between that area and another rural West African region located 300 km away in Diébougou, Burkina Faso. Methods We monitored Anopheles human-biting activity in 28 villages of the Korhogo health district for 18 months (2016 to 2018), and extracted fine-scale environmental variables (meteorological and landscape) from high-resolution satellite imagery. We used a state-of-the-art statistical modeling framework to associate these data and identify environmental determinants of the presence and abundance of malaria vectors in the area. We then compared the results of this analysis with those of a similar, previously published study conducted in the Diébougou area. Results The spatiotemporal distribution of malaria vectors in the Korhogo area was highly heterogeneous and appeared to be strongly determined and constrained by meteorological conditions. Rice paddies, temporary sites filled by rainfall, rivers and riparian forests appeared to be the larval habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes. As in Diébougou, meteorological conditions (temperatures, rainfall) appeared to significantly affect all developmental stages of the mosquitoes. Additionally, ligneous savannas were associated with lower abundance of malaria vectors. Anopheles species diversity was lower in Korhogo compared to Diébougou, while biting rates were much higher. Our results suggest that these differences may be due to the more anthropized nature of the Korhogo region in comparison to Diébougou (less forested areas, more agricultural land), supporting the hypothesis of higher malaria vector densities and lower mosquito diversity in more anthropized landscapes in rural West Africa. Conclusion This study offers valuable insights into the landscape and meteorological determinants of the spatiotemporal distribution of malaria vectors in the Korhogo region and, more broadly, in rural west-Africa. The results emphasize the adverse effects of the ongoing landscape anthropization process in the sub-region, including deforestation and agricultural development, on malaria vector control.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMalaria Journal, 21.10.2024
Tilføjet 21.10.2024
Abstract Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been a widely used malaria prevention method for decades. In South Sudan, LLINs are typically distributed by volunteers who use paper-based systems to collect distribution data. Paper-based systems are simple to use but have a higher occurrence of data inaccuracies and can hinder the timely use of data for decision-making. In 2022, a digital tool was introduced to collect data during the LLIN campaign in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG). The tool aimed to improve the accuracy of data entry and enable data to be used in real-time for decision making during the campaign. The digital tool was developed with offline functionality and interoperability with DHIS2 tracker version 2.8 in DHIS2 version 2.38. This study assessed the usability of the tool according to user perspectives. Methods A questionnaire containing open- and closed-ended questions was conducted with users of the digital tool, supervisors and other key stakeholders in five counties of NBeG. The questionnaire was administered using Malaria Consortium’s Projects Results System Android mobile application. Usability was determined through a modified and validated System Usability Scale (SUS) approach. Results A total of 93 participants responded to the usability questionnaire. The mean (± standard deviation) usability score across 10 SUS-scoring items was 60.91 (12.87), indicating a modest level of usability. The majority of users agreed the tool was useful for managing the LLIN distribution workflow, was easy to use, reduced workload, and supported stock management and real-time campaign monitoring. There was no significant difference in the usability scores across genders, roles, and counties. Respondents with experience of both paper-based and the digital tool tended to express a preference for the digital tool over paper-based systems. The majority of respondents also reported they would recommend the digital tool to colleagues. Conclusion Digital tools are perceived to improve data collection during LLIN campaigns, even in remote areas where network coverage is challenging. Additional improvements can be implemented to overcome operational challenges and improve usability of the tool. Further study is needed to assess the impact of the digital tool on data quality and real-time data use.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMalaria Journal, 20.10.2024
Tilføjet 20.10.2024
Abstract Background Intense pyrethroid resistance threatens the effectiveness of the primary vector control intervention, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), in Nigeria, the country with the largest malaria burden globally. In this study, the epidemiological and entomological impact of a new type of ITN (piperonyl-butoxide [PBO] ITNs) distributed in Ebonyi State were evaluated. The epidemiological impact was also compared to the impact of standard pyrethroid-only ITNs in Cross River State. Methods A controlled interrupted time series analysis was conducted on monthly malaria incidence data collected at the health facility level, using a multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial model. Data were analysed two years before and after the PBO ITN campaign in Ebonyi State (December 2017 to November 2021). A pre-post analysis, with no comparison group, was used to assess the impact of PBO ITNs on human biting rates and indoor resting density in Ebonyi during the high transmission season immediately before and after the PBO ITN campaign. Results In Ebonyi, PBO ITNs were associated with a 46.7% decrease (95%CI: -51.5, -40.8%; p
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMalaria Journal, 19.10.2024
Tilføjet 19.10.2024
Abstract Background Submicroscopic Plasmodium infections can be a source of persistent malaria transmission. The aim of this study was to assess their frequency, distribution, morbidity and associated factors in a pre-elimination malaria setting in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau, where the Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant Plasmodium species. Methods Dried fingerprick whole blood samples from 601 participants in the 2017 national, household-based, cross-sectional survey to estimate malaria prevalence were subjected to DNA extraction. The DNA was used in nested end-point PCR assays targeting genus- and species-specific regions of the Plasmodium 18S rRNA genes. Statistical analysis of socio-demographic, clinical and molecular data was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 29. Factors associated with submicroscopic P. falciparum infections and their magnitude were sought using Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models, respectively. Statistically significant level was considered at P-value
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMalaria Journal, 19.10.2024
Tilføjet 19.10.2024
Abstract Malaria is preventable, but the burden of disease remains high with over 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths reported in 2022. Historically, the most important protective interventions have been vector control and chemopreventive medicines with over 50 million children receiving seasonal malaria chemoprevention in the year 2023. Two vaccines are approved and starting to be deployed, bringing additional protection for children up to 36 months. However, the impact of these currently available tools is somewhat limited on various fronts. Vaccines exhibit partial efficacy, are relatively costly, and not accessible in all settings. The challenges encountered with chemoprevention are barriers to acceptability and feasibility, including frequency of dosing, and the lack of options in the first trimester of pregnancy and for women living with HIV. Also, the emergence of resistance against chemopreventive medicines is concerning. To address these limitations, a target product profile (TPP) is proposed as a road map to guide innovation and to boost the quest for novel chemopreventive alternatives. This TPP describes the ideal product attributes, while acknowledging potential trade-offs that may be needed. Critically, it considers the target populations most at risk; primarily infants, children, and pregnant women. Malaria control and elimination requires appropriate chemoprevention, not only in areas of high endemicity and transmission, but also in lower transmission areas where immunity is declining, as well as for travellers from areas where malaria has been eliminated. New medicines should show acceptable safety and tolerability, with high and long protective efficacy. Formulations and costs need to support operational adherence, access, and effectiveness. Next generation long-acting oral and injectable drugs are likely to constitute the backbone of malaria prevention. Therefore, the perspectives of front-line experts in malaria prevention, researchers, and those involved in drug development are captured in the TPP. This inclusive approach aims at concentrating efforts and aligning responses across the community to develop new and transformative medicines.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedMalaria Journal, 19.10.2024
Tilføjet 19.10.2024
Abstract Background Peru is a low-endemic transmission area for malaria, where the majority (84%) of incident malaria cases are localized to the department of Loreto, which is composed of several geographically isolated rural communities. Recent intervention efforts targeting at-risk Indigenous populations that live in riverine communities in Loreto place emphasis on preventive behaviours to decrease transmission. However, malaria related behaviour change is often dependent upon local knowledge, beliefs, and practices, especially in areas where malaria is viewed an embedded and unavoidable aspect of life. Methods This exploratory case study used semi-structured interviews conducted in Spanish between February and March of 2019 to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria prevention among the Indigenous Maijuna people of Sucusari, Loreto, Peru. Participants who consented were also administered a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) upon the time of interview. Results A total of 33 community members were interviewed, and 31 were tested via malaria rapid diagnostic tests, with RDT filter paper subsequently tested using PCR. All test results were negative for malaria. Themes that emerged included: varying knowledge of methods to prevent malaria, reports of observed changes in malaria incidence over time, confusion surrounding malaria transmission, treatment-seeking as a common behaviour, the belief that medications are effective, and the acceptance of bed nets which were viewed as a lifestyle norm. Conclusion These shared narratives should be used as a foundation for further studies and health interventions among communities in the Peruvian Amazon with limited access to health services where culturally resonant, community-based health programming is essential to improving health. Takeaways regarding confusion surrounding malaria transmission should also be considered.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedChew, R., Wynberg, E., Liverani, M., Rekol, H., Nguon, C., Dysoley, L., Vanna, M., Callery, J. J., Mishra, A., Adhikari, B., Tripura, R., Chandna, A., Fegan, G., Waithira, N., Maude, R. J., Day, N. P. J., Peto, T. J., Lubell, Y.
BMJ Open, 19.10.2024
Tilføjet 19.10.2024
IntroductionAcute febrile illness (AFI), traditionally attributed to malaria, is a common reason for seeking primary healthcare in rural South and Southeast Asia. However, malaria transmission has declined while health workers are often poorly equipped to manage non-malarial AFIs. This results in indiscriminate antibiotic prescribing and care escalation, which promotes antibiotic resistance and may increase healthcare costs. To address this problem, an electronic clinical decision support algorithm (eCDSA) called ‘Electronic clinical Decision support for Acute fever Management (EDAM)’ has been developed for primary health workers which integrates clinical, epidemiological and vital sign data with simple point-of-care tests to produce a diagnosis and management plan. Methods and analysisThis is a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial aiming to assess the effect of EDAM and related training on antibiotic prescribing rates in rural Cambodian primary health centres (PHCs) as the primary outcome, along with a range of secondary outcomes including safety. Patients with AFI are eligible for recruitment if they are aged ≥1 year. A cluster is defined as a PHC and PHCs will be randomised to control (standard of care) and intervention (EDAM and associated training) arms, with 15 PHCs per arm. Patients will be followed up after 7 days to ascertain the safety profile of EDAM. Each PHC will recruit 152 patients (total 4560), based on a baseline antibiotic prescription rate of 25% and expected reduction to 17.5% with EDAM. Ethics and disseminationResults will be published in international peer-reviewed journals to inform the design of future versions of EDAM and of future trials of similar eCDSAs and other digital health interventions targeted towards rural populations. This study was approved by the Oxford University Tropical Research Ethics Committee (550-23) and the Cambodian National Ethics Committee for Health Research (395-NECHR). Trial registration numberInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry (ISRCTN15157105).
Læs mere Tjek på PubMedBMC Infectious Diseases, 19.10.2024
Tilføjet 19.10.2024
Abstract Malaria is a potentially fatal infective illness caused due to parasites that belong to the Plasmodium genus, which are transferred to humans with the help of the stings of affected female Anopheles mosquitoes, and it persists as a serious public wellness problem worldwide. Cordia myxa is a medicinal plant that possesses various medicinal characteristics like antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities, which makes it an important natural resource for the therapy of different maladies in traditional medicine. In this investigation, a certain network pharmacology method has been utilized to identify the potent active components, possible targets as well as signaling pathways present in C. myxa in relation to malaria therapy. The active compounds were submitted to molecular docking approaches to validate their successful activity against the potential targets. The study concluded that three constituents named cosmosiin, stigmastanol, robinetin, and quercetin were highly active and could regulate the expression of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (CASP3), which may act as a potential therapeutic target for malaria treatment. These analyses are validated by molecular dynamics simulation which reflects on the overall structural stability of the intermolecular conformation and interactions. These results can also be witnessed in simulation-based trajectories binding free energies, which concluded the significant role of electrostatic and van der Waals energies in total intermolecular interactions. Finally, we utilized machine learning to predict the anti-malarial activity of C. myxa compounds, comparing them with approved drugs. Using the Chemprop model and MAIP predictions, we assessed ten compounds, revealing their potential as lead anti-malarial agents. This study establishes a groundwork for comprehending the function of the anti-malaria action of C. myxa.
Læs mere Tjek på PubMed