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Background: It has been more than 20 years since the malaria epidemiologic shift to school-aged children was noted. In the meantime, school-aged children (5–15 years) have become increasingly more vulnerable with asymptomatic malaria prevalence reaching up to 70%, making them reservoirs for subsequent transmission of malaria in the endemic communities. Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in schoolchildren (IPTsc) has proven to be an effective tool to shrink this reservoir. As of 3rd June 2022, the World Health Organization recommends IPTsc in moderate and high endemic areas. Even so, for decision-makers, the adoption of scientific research recommendations has been stifled by real-world implementation challenges. This study presents methodology, challenges faced, and mitigations used in the evaluation of the implementation of IPTsc using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in three councils (Handeni District Council (DC), Handeni Town Council (TC) and Kilindi DC) of Tanga Region, Tanzania so as to understand the operational feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc on malaria parasitaemia and clinical malaria incidence. Methods: The study deployed an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design to assess feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc using DP, the interventional drug, against standard of care (control). Wards in the three study councils were the randomization unit (clusters). Each ward was randomized to implement IPTsc or not (control). In all wards in the IPTsc arm, DP was given to schoolchildren three times a year in four-month intervals. In each council, 24 randomly selected wards (12 per study arm, one school per ward) were chosen as representatives for intervention impact evaluation. Mixed design methods were used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing IPTsc as part of a more comprehensive health package for schoolchildren. The study reimagined an existing school health programme for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NT

Background: It has been more than 20 years since the malaria epidemiologic shift to school-aged children was noted. In the meantime, school-aged children (5–15 years) have become increasingly more vulnerable with asymptomatic malaria prevalence reaching up to 70%, making them reservoirs for subsequent transmission of malaria in the endemic communities. Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in schoolchildren (IPTsc) has proven to be an effective tool to shrink this reservoir. As of 3rd June 2022, the World Health Organization recommends IPTsc in moderate and high endemic areas. Even so, for decision-makers, the adoption of scientific research recommendations has been stifled by real-world implementation challenges. This study presents methodology, challenges faced, and mitigations used in the evaluation of the implementation of IPTsc using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in three councils (Handeni District Council (DC), Handeni Town Council (TC) and Kilindi DC) of Tanga Region, Tanzania so as to understand the operational feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc on malaria parasitaemia and clinical malaria incidence. Methods: The study deployed an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design to assess feasibility and effectiveness of IPTsc using DP, the interventional drug, against standard of care (control). Wards in the three study councils were the randomization unit (clusters). Each ward was randomized to implement IPTsc or not (control). In all wards in the IPTsc arm, DP was given to schoolchildren three times a year in four-month intervals. In each council, 24 randomly selected wards (12 per study arm, one school per ward) were chosen as representatives for intervention impact evaluation. Mixed design methods were used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing IPTsc as part of a more comprehensive health package for schoolchildren. The study reimagined an existing school health programme for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NT

BACKGROUND: Malaria in pregnancy can result in placental infection with fetal implications. This study aimed at assessing placental malaria (PM) prevalence and its associated factors in a cohort of pregnant women with peripheral malaria and their offspring. METHOD: The data were collected in the framework of a clinical trial on treatments for malaria in pregnant women . Placental malaria (PM) was diagnosed by histopathological detection of parasites and/or malaria pigment on placenta biopsies taken at delivery. Factors associated with PM were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 745 biopsies examined, PM was diagnosed in 86.8 % of women. Acute, chronic and past PM were retrieved in 11 (1.5 %), 170 (22.8 %), and 466 (62.6 %) women, respectively. A modifying effect was observed in the association of gravidity or anemia at the study start with pooled PM (presence of parasites and/or malaria pigment). In women under 30, gravidity ≤ 2 was associated with an increased prevalence of pooled PM but in women aged 30 years or more, gravidity was no more associated with pooled PM (OR 6.81, 95 % CI 3.18 - 14.60; and OR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.10 - 2.76, respectively). Anemia was associated with pooled PM in women under 30 (OR 1.96, 95 % CI 1.03 - 3.72) but not in women aged 30 years or more (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.31 - 1.49). Similarly, the association of gravidity with past-chronic PM depended also on age. A higher prevalence of active PM was observed in women under 30 presenting with symptomatic malaria (OR 3.79, 95 % CI 1.55 - 9.27), while there was no significant increase in the prevalence of active PM (presence of parasites only) in women with symptomatic malaria when aged 30 years or more (OR 0.42, 95 % CI 0.10 - 1.75). In women with chronic PM, the prevalence of low birth weight or prematurity was the highest (31.2 %) as compared with past PM or no PM. CONCLUSION: Despite the rapid diagnosis and efficacious treatment of peripheral infection, the prevalence of placental

In Africa, children aged 5 to 15 years (school age) comprises more than 50% (>339 million) of the under 19 years population, and are highly burdened by malaria and anaemia that impair cognitive development. For the prospects of improving health in African citizens, understanding malaria and its relation to anaemia in school-aged children, it is crucial to inform targeted interventions for malaria control and accelerate elimination efforts as part of improved school health policy. We conducted a study to determine the risk factors for asymptomatic malaria and their association to anaemia. We explored the prevalence of antimalarial drug resistance as well as the association of asymptomatic malaria infection and anaemia on cognitive and psychomotor functions in school-aged children living in high endemic areas. This study was a comprehensive baseline survey, within the scope of a randomised, controlled trial on the effectiveness and safety of antimalarial drugs in preventing malaria and its related morbidity in schoolchildren. We enrolled 1,587 schoolchildren from 7 primary schools located in Muheza, north-eastern Tanzania. Finger-pricked blood samples were collected for estimation of malaria parasitaemia using a microscope, haemoglobin concentration using a haemoglobinometer, and markers of drug resistance processed from dried blood spots (DBS). Psychomotor and Cognitive functions were assessed using a '20 metre Shuttle run' and a test of everyday attention for children (TEA-Ch), respectively. The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and stunting was 26.4%, 49.8%, and 21.0%, respectively with marked variation across schools. In multivariate models, asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia attributed to 61% of anaemia with a respective population attribution fraction of 16%. Stunting, not sleeping under a bednet and illiterate parent or guardian were other factors attributing to 7%, 9%, and 5% of anaemia in the study population, respectively. Factors

In Africa, children aged 5 to 15 years (school age) comprises more than 50% (>339 million) of the under 19 years population, and are highly burdened by malaria and anaemia that impair cognitive development. For the prospects of improving health in African citizens, understanding malaria and its relation to anaemia in school-aged children, it is crucial to inform targeted interventions for malaria control and accelerate elimination efforts as part of improved school health policy. We conducted a study to determine the risk factors for asymptomatic malaria and their association to anaemia. We explored the prevalence of antimalarial drug resistance as well as the association of asymptomatic malaria infection and anaemia on cognitive and psychomotor functions in school-aged children living in high endemic areas. This study was a comprehensive baseline survey, within the scope of a randomised, controlled trial on the effectiveness and safety of antimalarial drugs in preventing malaria and its related morbidity in schoolchildren. We enrolled 1,587 schoolchildren from 7 primary schools located in Muheza, north-eastern Tanzania. Finger-pricked blood samples were collected for estimation of malaria parasitaemia using a microscope, haemoglobin concentration using a haemoglobinometer, and markers of drug resistance processed from dried blood spots (DBS). Psychomotor and Cognitive functions were assessed using a '20 metre Shuttle run' and a test of everyday attention for children (TEA-Ch), respectively. The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and stunting was 26.4%, 49.8%, and 21.0%, respectively with marked variation across schools. In multivariate models, asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia attributed to 61% of anaemia with a respective population attribution fraction of 16%. Stunting, not sleeping under a bednet and illiterate parent or guardian were other factors attributing to 7%, 9%, and 5% of anaemia in the study population, respectively. Factors

Introduction: Distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits through MSM peer networks is a novel and effective strategy to increase HIV testing coverage in this high-risk population. No study has evaluated the cost or cost effectiveness of peer distribution of HIVST strategies among MSM in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: From June to August 2018, we conducted a pilot study of secondary MSM peer HIVST kit distribution at The AIDS Support Organization at Entebbe and Masaka. We used an ingredients approach to estimate the cost of MSM peer HIVST kit distribution relative to standard-of-care (SOC) hotspot testing using programme expenditure data reported in US dollars. The provider perspective was used to estimate incremental cost-effective ratios per HIV infection averted using the difference in HIV annual transmission rates between MSM with HIV who knew their status and were not virologically suppressed and MSM with HIV who did not know their status. Results: We enrolled 297 participants of whom 150 received MSM peer HIVST kit distribution (intervention group) and 147 received TASO standard of care HIV testing (control group). Provider cost for the intervention was $2,276 compared with $1,827 for SOC during the 3-month study period. Overall, the intervention resulted in higher HIV positivity yield (4.9 vs. 1.4%) and averted more HIV infections per quarter (0.364 vs. 0.104) compared with SOC. The cost per person tested was higher for the intervention compared to SOC ($15.90 vs. $12.40). Importantly, the cost per new HIV diagnosis ($325 vs. $914) and cost per transmission averted ($6,253 vs. $ 17,567) were lower for the intervention approach relative to SOC. The incremental cost per HIV transmission averted by the self-testing program was $1,727. The incremental cost to providers per additional HIV-positive person identified by the intervention was $147.30. Conclusion: The intervention strategy was cost-effective, and identified more undiagnosed HIV infections than SOC hots

Background. Mass drug administration (MDA) may further reduce malaria transmission in low-transmission areas. The impact of MDA on the dynamics of malaria transmission was determined in a prospective cohort study. Methods. Annual rounds of MDA with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) were implemented were implemented in 2014 and 2015 in six village pairs before the malaria transmission season. Blood samples were collected from residents between July and December for microscopy and nested PCR. Incidence and prevalence of infection, clinical disease, and risk of malaria reinfection post-MDA were determined. Results. Coverage of three DP doses was 68.2% (2014) and 65.6% (2015), compliance was greater than 80%. Incidence of infection was significantly lower in 2014 (incidence rate [IR] = 0.2 per person year [PPY]) than in 2013 (IR = 1.1 PPY; P <.01); monthly infection prevalence declined in the first three months post-MDA. Clinical malaria incidence was lower in 2014 (IR = 0.1 PPY) and 2015 (IR = 0.2 PPY) than in 2013 (IR = 0.4 PPY; P <.01), but remained higher in eastern Gambia. Individuals infected before MDA had a 2-fold higher odds of reinfection post-MDA (adjusted odds ratio = 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.5-4.3; P <.01). Conclusions. MDA reduced malaria infection and clinical disease during the first months. The reduction was maintained in low-transmission areas, but not in eastern Gambia. Annual MDA could be followed by focal MDA targeting individuals infected during the dry season. Repeated MDA rounds, some during the dry season over larger geographical areas, may result in a more marked and sustained decrease of malaria transmission., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Despite the success of malaria control programe in the past decade, malaria remains an important public health problem in Vietnam. A challenge faced by the National Malaria Control and Elimination Programme is the ability to target and eliminate the remaining parasite reservoir in endemic areas The cross-sectional and longitudinal studies was caried out in malaria endemic area in Central, Vietnam and both of them combined PCR and LM for malaria parasite detection methodes. The results of cross-sectional study confirmed the high malaria parasite reservoir detection due to PCR alone and asymptomatic with LM malaria parasite positive with two malaria parasite species contribution to malaria burden in study area which included Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium viviax. The longgitudinal study followed up P.vivax infected patients for two years and within first month there were three P.vivax cases ware confirmed resistance Chloroquine. After ward, the high number of P.vivax recurrences with submicroscopic and asymptomatic infection were recoded despire the higdose of PQ treatement with direct observation of study team. To over come asymptomatic and sub-patent reservoir calls for an immediate combination of molecular and LM detecting malaria hotpots for targeted interventions. P.vivax resistance CQ and high morbidity of P.vivax recurrences after PQ treatment are alarmed to NMCP changing treatment policy to new drugs with high effectiveneess and short course., (SP - Sciences de la santé publique) -- UCL, 2018

Background Despite the biological plausibility of hotspots fueling malaria transmission, the evidence to support this concept has been mixed. If transmission spreads from high burden to low burden households in a consistent manner, then this could have important implications for control and elimination program development. Methods Data from a longitudinal cohort in The Gambia was analyzed. All consenting individuals residing in 12 villages across the country were sampled monthly from June (dry season) to December 2013 (wet season), in April 2014 (mid dry season), and monthly from June to December 2014. A study nurse stationed within each village recorded passively detected malaria episodes between visits. Plasmodium falciparum infections were determined by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed using a geostatistical model. Results Household-level observed monthly incidence ranged from 0 to 0.50 infection per person (interquartile range = 0.02–0.10) across the sampling months, and high burden households exist across all study villages. There was limited evidence of a spatio-temporal pattern at the monthly timescale irrespective of transmission intensity. Within-household transmission was the most plausible hypothesis examined to explain the observed heterogeneity in infections. Conclusions Within-village malaria transmission patterns are concentrated in a small proportion of high burden households, but patterns are stochastic regardless of endemicity. Our findings support the notion of transmission occurring at the household and village scales but not the use of a targeted approach to interrupt spreading of infections from high to low burden areas within villages in this setting.

Background Despite the biological plausibility of hotspots fueling malaria transmission, the evidence to support this concept has been mixed. If transmission spreads from high burden to low burden households in a consistent manner, then this could have important implications for control and elimination program development. Methods Data from a longitudinal cohort in The Gambia was analyzed. All consenting individuals residing in 12 villages across the country were sampled monthly from June (dry season) to December 2013 (wet season), in April 2014 (mid dry season), and monthly from June to December 2014. A study nurse stationed within each village recorded passively detected malaria episodes between visits. Plasmodium falciparum infections were determined by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed using a geostatistical model. Results Household-level observed monthly incidence ranged from 0 to 0.50 infection per person (interquartile range = 0.02–0.10) across the sampling months, and high burden households exist across all study villages. There was limited evidence of a spatio-temporal pattern at the monthly timescale irrespective of transmission intensity. Within-household transmission was the most plausible hypothesis examined to explain the observed heterogeneity in infections. Conclusions Within-village malaria transmission patterns are concentrated in a small proportion of high burden households, but patterns are stochastic regardless of endemicity. Our findings support the notion of transmission occurring at the household and village scales but not the use of a targeted approach to interrupt spreading of infections from high to low burden areas within villages in this setting.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of resistance against artemisinin combination treatment is a major concern for malaria control. ACTs are recommended as the rescue treatment, however, there is limited evidence as to whether treatment and re-treatment with ACTs select for drug-resistant P. falciparum parasites. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of (re-)treatment using artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) on the selection of P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1 (Pfmdr1) alleles in clinical settings.METHODS: P. falciparum positive samples were collected from children aged 12-59 months in a clinical trial in DR Congo and Uganda. Pfmdr1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis at codons N86Y, Y184F, and D1246Y were performed at baseline and post-treatment with either AL or ASAQ as a rescue treatment using nested PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays.RESULTS: The pre-treatment prevalence of Pfmdr1 N86 and D1246Y varied significantly between the sites, (p>0.001) and (p = 0.013), respectively. There was borderline significant directional selection for Pfmdr1 184F in recurrent malaria infections after treatment with AL in Uganda site (p = 0.05). Pfmdr1 NFD haplotype did not significantly change in post-treatment infections after re-treatment with either AL or ASAQ. Comparison between pre-treatment and post-treatment recurrences did not indicate directional selection of Pfmdr1 N86, D1246 alleles in the pre-RCT, RCT and post-RCT phases in both AL and ASAQ treatment arms. Pfmdr1 86Y was significantly associated with reduced risk of AL treatment failure (RR = 0.34, 95% CI:0.11-1.05, p = 0.04) while no evidence for D1246 allele (RR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.42-2.47, p = 1.0). Survival estimates showed that the Pfmdr1 alleles had comparable mean-time to PCR-corrected recrudescence and new infections in both AL and ASAQ treatment arms.CONCLUSION: We found limited impact o

BACKGROUND: The emergence of resistance against artemisinin combination treatment is a major concern for malaria control. ACTs are recommended as the rescue treatment, however, there is limited evidence as to whether treatment and re-treatment with ACTs select for drug-resistant P. falciparum parasites. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of (re-)treatment using artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) on the selection of P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1 (Pfmdr1) alleles in clinical settings.METHODS: P. falciparum positive samples were collected from children aged 12-59 months in a clinical trial in DR Congo and Uganda. Pfmdr1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis at codons N86Y, Y184F, and D1246Y were performed at baseline and post-treatment with either AL or ASAQ as a rescue treatment using nested PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays.RESULTS: The pre-treatment prevalence of Pfmdr1 N86 and D1246Y varied significantly between the sites, (p>0.001) and (p = 0.013), respectively. There was borderline significant directional selection for Pfmdr1 184F in recurrent malaria infections after treatment with AL in Uganda site (p = 0.05). Pfmdr1 NFD haplotype did not significantly change in post-treatment infections after re-treatment with either AL or ASAQ. Comparison between pre-treatment and post-treatment recurrences did not indicate directional selection of Pfmdr1 N86, D1246 alleles in the pre-RCT, RCT and post-RCT phases in both AL and ASAQ treatment arms. Pfmdr1 86Y was significantly associated with reduced risk of AL treatment failure (RR = 0.34, 95% CI:0.11-1.05, p = 0.04) while no evidence for D1246 allele (RR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.42-2.47, p = 1.0). Survival estimates showed that the Pfmdr1 alleles had comparable mean-time to PCR-corrected recrudescence and new infections in both AL and ASAQ treatment arms.CONCLUSION: We found limited impact o

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is still used for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa; however, widespread resistance is a major concern. This study aimed to determine the dispersal and origin of sulfadoxine resistance lineages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo compared with East African Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthetase (Pfdhps) haplotypes. The analysis involved 264 isolates collected from patients with uncomplicated malaria from Tanzania, Uganda and DR Congo. Isolates were genotyped for Pfdhps mutations at codons 436, 437, 540, 581 and 613. Three microsatellite loci (0.8, 4.3 and 7.7 kb) flanking the Pfdhps gene were assayed. Evolutionary analysis revealed a shared origin of Pfdhps haplotypes in East Africa, with a distinct population clustering in DR Congo. Furthermore, in Tanzania there was an independent distinct origin of Pfdhps SGEGA resistant haplotype. In Uganda and Tanzania, gene flow patterns contribute to the dispersal and shared origin of parasites carrying double- and triple-mutant Pfdhps haplotypes associated with poor outcomes of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy using SP (IPTp-SP). However, the origins of the Pfdhps haplotypes in DR Congo and Eastern Africa sites are different. The genetic structure demonstrated a divergent and distinct population cluster predominated by single-mutant Pfdhps haplotypes at the DR Congo site. This reflects the limited dispersal of double- and triple-mutant Pfdhps haplotypes in DR Congo. This study highlights the current genetic structure and dispersal of high-grade Pfdhps resistant haplotypes, which is important to guide implementation of SP in malaria chemoprevention strategies in the region.

BackgroundAsymptomatic and symptomatic malaria during pregnancy has consequences for both mother and her offspring. Unfortunately, there is insufficient information on the safety and efficacy of most antimalarials in pregnancy. Indeed, clinical trials assessing antimalarial treatments systematically exclude pregnancy for fear of teratogenicity and embryotoxicity. The little available information originates from South East Asia while in sub-Saharan Africa such information is still limited and needs to be provided.DesignA Phase 3, non-inferiority, multicentre, randomized, open-label clinical trial on safety and efficacy of 4 ACT when administered during pregnancy was carried out in 4 African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Zambia. This is a four arm trial using a balanced incomplete block design. Pregnant women diagnosed with malaria are randomised to receive either amodiaquine-artesunate (AQ-AS), dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQ), artemether-lumefantrine (AL), or mefloquine-artesunate (MQAS). They are actively followed up until day 63 post-treatment and then monthly until 4–6 weeks post-delivery. The offspring is visited at the time of the first birthday. The primary endpoint is treatment failure (PCR adjusted) at day 63 and safety profiles. Secondary endpoints included PCR unadjusted treatment failure up to day 63, gametocyte carriage, Hb changes, placenta malaria, mean birth weight and low birth weight. The primary statistical analysis will use the combined data from all 4 centres, with adjustment for any centre effects, using an additive model for the response rates. This will allow the assessment of all 6 possible pair-wise treatment comparisons using all available data.DiscussionThe strength of this trial is the involvement of several African countries, increasing the generalisability of the results. In addition, it assesses most ACTs currently available, determining their relative ‘-value-’ compared to others. The balanced inc

This work reviewed and applied methods for analysis of adverse drug reactions and drug utilization. This will help to increase knowledge about the burden of drug safety in African region. The burden is a result of multiple factors like medication errors, irrational drug use, poor drug quality, adverse reactions and counterfeits. Moreover, adequate decision making processes needs easy-to-use analytical methodologies for evidence-based decisions despite the scarcity of data. The first and second parts of the thesis respectively reviewed and applied the data mining algorithms for detection and evaluation of safety signals. This involved looking at the commonly used data mining algorithms applied to spontaneous adverse reports and applying them to late phase clinical trials safety pediatric database. The third section utilized the standard data mining analysis method of classification and regression tree (CART) to determine the predictors of prescription practices in rural based health facilities of Africa. The use of data mining and biostatistical methods for handling drug safety and utilization data collected using diverse approaches like the traditional passive reporting systems, electronic medical records, clinical trials and post marketing surveys was demonstrated., (SP - Sciences de la santé publique) -- UCL, 2015

Conclusion: Malaria and S. mansoni infection were strongly associated with high prevalence of anemia in schoolchildren. Therefore, specific school-based interventions, such as intermittent preventive treatment or prophylaxis, LLITN distribution, anthelminthic mass treatment and micronutrient supplementation are needed to improve school children's health.

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy should be an integrated part in the therapeutical approach of a patient with breast cancer. It rehabilitates the woman's body and femininity. Breast implant is the option most frequently used, although other alternatives exist, as breast reconstruction with autologous tissues. The major advantage of the breast implant reconstruction is the reduced surgery, but risks of complications are real and the long term evolution shows a frequent deterioration of aesthetic aspect., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy should be an integrated part in the therapeutical approach of a patient with breast cancer. It rehabilitates the woman's body and femininity. Breast implant is the option most frequently used, although other alternatives exist, as breast reconstruction with autologous tissues. The major advantage of the breast implant reconstruction is the reduced surgery, but risks of complications are real and the long term evolution shows a frequent deterioration of aesthetic aspect., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The study on insecticide resistance illustrates that An. arabiensis populations from parts of Ethiopia are resistant to three-quarters of the insecticide families recommended for malaria vector control. Mosquitoes in our study area were resistance to organochlorine (DDT), pyrethroids (permethrin & deltamethrin) and organophosphates (malathion). In Ethiopia, DDT has been extensively used in IRS in alternation with malathion for over five decades. ITNs use started in 1997 and scaled up since 2005 with the aim of obtaining a high coverage towards an upgraded malaria control. Besides, in 2009 Ethiopia reported using pyrethroids (deltamethrin) for indoor residual spraying against malaria control (WHO, 2011a). The prolonged use of DDT and malathion, the high coverage of ITNs/LLINs and the recent use of pyrethroids for indoor residual spraying are likely to have enhanced the selection pressure for insecticide resistance in An. arabiensis from Ethiopia. The increasing trend in pyrethroids use for indoor residual spraying may not be consistent with the need to preserve the effectiveness of LLINs (WHO, 2011b). Trape et al. (2011) also reported that LLINs may result resistance to insecticides in mosquitoes and the increased pyrethroid resistance of An. gambiae caused the rebound of malaria morbidity in Senegal. In 2011, Ethiopia switched from pyrethroids (deltamethrin) to carbamates (bendiocarb) for IRS because of resistance reported to other classes of insecticides (Van den Berg et al., 2012). The carbamate class is now the only class of insecticides to which the principal malaria vector is susceptible. Unfortunately, evidence of resistance to carbamates (bendocarb) has also emerged in Afro-tropical malaria vectors (Hunt et al., 2011; WHO, 2011a; Hunt et al., 2010; Ranson et al., 2009; Vezenegho et al., 2009). The study at hand provides critical information on mechanisms conferring resistance to a major malaria vector in Ethiopia. We report here for the first time the existen, (MED 3) -- UCL, 2012

The use of CDA for treating uncomplicated malaria may increase the risk of haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient children.

Objective: Angiolipoma is an unusual variant of lipoma involving subcutaneous tissues on trunk and extremities. This tumor is rarely described in the breast and particularly in breast male.Case report: We report here the case of angiolipoma of the breast in a 55-year-old man complained of tenderness in the left breast. Ultrasonography showed a homogenously, well circumscribed, hyperechoic mass in the internal quadran of breast. The surgically resected tumor showed mature fat cells separated by proliferating branched vessels and intravascular hyaline thrombi.Conclusion: The existence of angiolipoma of the breast in the male must not to be forgotten because this tumor may be confused clinically, radiologically and pathologically with a malignant tumor. © SAGE Publications 2011., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Objective: Angiolipoma is an unusual variant of lipoma involving subcutaneous tissues on trunk and extremities. This tumor is rarely described in the breast and particularly in breast male.Case report: We report here the case of angiolipoma of the breast in a 55-year-old man complained of tenderness in the left breast. Ultrasonography showed a homogenously, well circumscribed, hyperechoic mass in the internal quadran of breast. The surgically resected tumor showed mature fat cells separated by proliferating branched vessels and intravascular hyaline thrombi.Conclusion: The existence of angiolipoma of the breast in the male must not to be forgotten because this tumor may be confused clinically, radiologically and pathologically with a malignant tumor. © SAGE Publications 2011., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Introduction: Malaria is re-emerging in most of the African highlands exposing the non immune population to deadly epidemics. A better understanding of the factors impacting transmission in the highlands is crucial to improve well targeted malaria control strategies. Methods and Findings: A conceptual model of potential malaria risk factors in the highlands was built based on the available literature. Furthermore, the relative importance of these factors on malaria can be estimated through "classification and regression trees'', an unexploited statistical method in the malaria field. This CART method was used to analyse the malaria risk factors in the Burundi highlands. The results showed that Anopheles density was the best predictor for high malaria prevalence. Then lower rainfall, no vector control, higher minimum temperature and houses near breeding sites were associated by order of importance to higher Anopheles density. Conclusions: In Burundi highlands monitoring Anopheles densities when rainfall is low may be able to predict epidemics. The conceptual model combined with the CART analysis is a decision support tool that could provide an important contribution toward the prevention and control of malaria by identifying major risk factors.

Pauline Byakika-Kibwika1,2, Mohammed Lamorde1,2, Harriet Mayanja-Kizza1, Concepta Merry1,2, Bob Colebunders3,4, Jean-Pierre Van geertruyden4,51Infectious Diseases Institute and Infectious Diseases Network for Treatment and Research in Africa (INTERACT), Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda; 2Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; 3Dienst Clinical Sciences, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, Antwerp, Belgium; 4International Health, Epidemiology en Social Medicine, Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium; 5Epidemiology Unit, Dienst Parasitologie, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, Antwerp, BelgiumAbstract: Artemether–lumefantrine is one of the artemisisnin-based combination therapies recommended for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The drug combination is highly efficacious against sensitive and multidrug resistant falciparum malaria. It offers the advantage of rapid clearance of parasites by artemether and the slower elimination of residual parasites by lumefantrine. The combination can be used in all populations except pregnant mothers in the first trimester where safety is still uncertain. There are still concerns about safety and pharmacokinetics of the drug combination in children, especially infants, pregnant mothers and drug interactions with mainly non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors used for HIV therapy.Keywords: artemether–lumefantrine, efficacy, effectiveness, safety, malaria

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Many techniques have been described for earlobe reconstruction, but a stable and satisfactory shape has not always been obtained, mainly because of secondary retraction. A method of creating an earlobe using a reverse-flow postauricular chondrocutaneous flap combined with a cutaneous flap is presented. No skin graft is needed. The result was stable at 2 years follow-up. © 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

PURPOSE: The authors report the complementary roles of lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node mapping and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in a massively invaded sentinel node. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 49-year-old woman was referred to the authors' institution after the resection of a malignant melanoma (Clark IV, Breslow 5.25) of the right buttock. No evidence of regional or distant organ metastases was observed on bone scintigraphy or thoracoabdominal or cerebral computed tomographs. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed drainage around a circular structure, without any node detected. F-18 FDG PET imaging detected an area of focal, markedly hypermetabolic activity at the same location. RESULTS: The focal, markedly hypermetabolic activity detected by F-18 FDG PET corresponded to a massively invaded sentinel node not shown by lymphoscintigraphy but found and removed at the time of surgery. Radical regional lymphadenectomy showed only one small additional lymph node micrometastasis detected after immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein and HMB45 antigen. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the complementary roles of lymphoscintigraphy sentinel node mapping and F-18 FDG PET. Indeed, a massively invaded sentinel node may be detected by PET but missed by lymphoscintigraphy., Case Reports, Journal Article, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

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SCOPUS: le.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

PURPOSE: The authors report the complementary roles of lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node mapping and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in a massively invaded sentinel node. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 49-year-old woman was referred to the authors' institution after the resection of a malignant melanoma (Clark IV, Breslow 5.25) of the right buttock. No evidence of regional or distant organ metastases was observed on bone scintigraphy or thoracoabdominal or cerebral computed tomographs. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy showed drainage around a circular structure, without any node detected. F-18 FDG PET imaging detected an area of focal, markedly hypermetabolic activity at the same location. RESULTS: The focal, markedly hypermetabolic activity detected by F-18 FDG PET corresponded to a massively invaded sentinel node not shown by lymphoscintigraphy but found and removed at the time of surgery. Radical regional lymphadenectomy showed only one small additional lymph node micrometastasis detected after immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein and HMB45 antigen. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the complementary roles of lymphoscintigraphy sentinel node mapping and F-18 FDG PET. Indeed, a massively invaded sentinel node may be detected by PET but missed by lymphoscintigraphy., Case Reports, Journal Article, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Case Reports, Letter, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Case Reports, Letter, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

An apocrine hidrocystoma occurring on the finger of a 55-year-old man is reported. The lesion presented as a solitary, painless cystic nodule on the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx of the index finger. Apocrine hidrocystoma is a benign tumour developed from apocrine sweat glands, but the location of the lesion was, however, not consistent with reported locations of apocrine glands in the adult., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published