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Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS+AQ) which is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Eritrea., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from December 2014 to March 2015 in Ghindae Zonal Referral Hospital in Northern Red Sea Zone. Out of 481 patients screened, 103 were enrolled in the study. The therapeutic efficacy test was done as per the WHO protocol for a period of 28days of follow-up., Results: The PCR-uncorrected treatment outcome was classified as adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) in 95 patients, which meant the cure rate was 96.0 (95% CI: 89.7%-98.5%) after survival analysis., Conclusions: Therapeutic efficacy of AS+AQ still meets the WHO efficacy criteria for its continued use in the study area as the first-line drug against uncomplicated falciparum malaria. However, further studies are needed using correction with molecular markers to monitor therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs in this area., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy has led to extraordinary results in malaria control, however the recent emergence of partial resistance to artemisinin therapy in Southeast Asia jeopardizes these successes. This study aimed at investigating resistance to the antimalarial drugs by evaluating the polymorphisms in the PfK13, Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 genes in Plasmodium falciparum isolates obtained from patients in Eritrea., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper examines the relationship between indoor residual spray (IRS) and malaria parasite infection in Gash Barka Zone, Eritrea, an area with near universal coverage of insecticide treated bednets (ITN) and already low malaria parasite prevalence. A community randomized control trial was conducted in 2009. Malaria parasite infection prevalence was 0.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.78%], with no significant difference detected between treatment and control areas. ITN possession remains high, with over 70% of households reporting ITN ownership [95% CI: 68.4-72.9]. ITN use among individuals within ITN-owning households was just under half [46.7% (95% CI: 45.4-48.0)]. Slight differences in ITN possession and use were detected between treatment and control areas. There was no significant difference in malaria parasite infection prevalence among individuals in households with ≥1 ITN compared to those in households without ITNs, nor among individuals reporting ITN use. Among individuals in ITN-owning households, sleeping under an ITN offered no statistically significant protection from malaria parasite infection. Community participation in environmental and larval habitat management activities was low: 17.9% (95% CI: 16.0-19.7). It is likely that IRS, larval habitat management and ITN distribution alone may be insufficient to interrupt transmission without corresponding high ITN use, sustained IRS application in areas where infections are clustered, and promptly seeking laboratory diagnosis and treatment of all fevers. Eritrea is ready for elimination, irrespective of inconclusive impact evaluation results., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)