Search

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 500 million malaria tests are performed annually. While microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are the main diagnostic approaches, no single method is inexpensive, rapid, and highly accurate. Two recent studies from our group have demonstrated a prototype computer vision platform that meets those needs. Here we present the results from two clinical studies on the commercially available version of this technology, the Sight Diagnostics Parasight platform, which provides malaria diagnosis, species identification, and parasite quantification. We conducted a multisite trial in Chennai, India (Apollo Hospital [ n = 205]), and Nairobi, Kenya (Aga Khan University Hospital [ n = 263]), in which we compared the device to microscopy, RDTs, and PCR. For identification of malaria, the device performed similarly well in both contexts (sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 100% at the Indian site and sensitivity of 99.3% and specificity of 98.9% at the Kenyan site, compared to PCR). For species identification, the device correctly identified 100% of samples with Plasmodium vivax and 100% of samples with Plasmodium falciparum in India and 100% of samples with P. vivax and 96.1% of samples with P. falciparum in Kenya, compared to PCR. Lastly, comparisons of the device parasite counts with those of trained microscopists produced average Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.84 at the Indian site and 0.85 at the Kenyan site.

Water-soluble vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a vital role in normal blood function and neurological functioning. Clinical and subclinical B12 deficiency has been notably reported in vegans, vegetarians, the elderly and metformin-treated diabetics. Currently, the prevalence of cobalamin deficiency among vegans and vegetarians in Australia is lacking; data on dietary intake including supplements and nutritional status are also limited. The increasing multiculturalism of Australia has seen an influx of imported foods, of which some may contain considerable vitamin B12. However, values for such foods are not included in the food composition databases. This review highlights the need to update the food composition database with culturally diverse foods containing vitamin B12. Moreover, the need for assessing dietary intakes and status using the most current best evidence and best practice on nutritional indicators (biochemical and functional biomarkers) to estimate the risk of deficiency and/or depletion is discussed.

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act called for two reports on policies for regular and reserve officer career management that give perspectives on the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act and the Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act. The authors of the present report summarize the perspectives of the military departments on the issues in those two reports and provide information to inform potential policy changes.

Objective: To review the literature concerning the role of raltegravir in the treatment of HIV-1 in antiretroviral (ARV)-experienced and ARV-naïve patients. Data Sources: A PubMed search was conducted for published data through March 2012 using the search terms raltegravir, MK-0518, and integrase strand transfer inhibitor. An additional search of International Pharmaceutical Abstracts for unpublished data, including data from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, the International AIDS Society, and the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, was conducted using similar search terms. Study Selection and Data Extraction: In vitro and in vivo Phase 2, Phase 3, and postmarketing studies available in English, evaluating antiretroviral regimens that contain raltegravir for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in both ARV-naïve and ARV-experienced patients, were evaluated. Studies assessing raltegravir pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were included for review. Data Synthesis: The nucteoside-based regimen of raltegravir with tenofovir/emtricitabine provides an effective first-line treatment option. However, nucleoside-sparing regimens appear unfavorable in ARV-naïve subjects and should be reserved for patients with limited treatment options. Raltegravir used with optimized background therapy provides an alternative regimen for ARV-experienced patients. This review describes the available in vitro and in vivo data on raltegravir potency, defined as the ability to achieve undetectable viral load, and safety profile, as well as comparison to standard HIV-1 therapies. Conclusions: Raltegravir has demonstrated potent antiretroviral activity against HIV-1 in both ARV-naïve and ARV-experienced subjects, with the benefits of a favorable adverse effect profile and minimal drug interactions. Raltegravir must be dosed twice daily, as once daily raltegravir displays decreased virologic efficacy compared to twice daily dosing. However, the ongoing development of new integrase strand transfer inhibitors may provide potent once daily regimens.

Accurate malaria diagnosis is necessary to prevent unnecessary deaths and curb malaria drug resistance related to unnecessary treatment. While numerous diagnostic assays exist, the need for a low-cost, rapid and highly accurate malaria test remains. Here we evaluate the diagnostic performance of a computer vision platform, the Sight Diagnostic P2 device for malaria diagnosis, speciation and parasite quantification. The trial was conducted at two centers on Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax samples, using different testing protocols: 374 samples were collected at City Hospital Mangalore India and 167 samples were collected at Lancet Laboratories Johannesburg South Africa. At City Hospital, the device diagnoses were compared to RT-PCR results while at Lancet Laboratories the device diagnoses were compared to a panel of tests provided by the clinic. For identification of malaria, the device demonstrated a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 99.5% at City Hospital India, and a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 97.5% at Lancet Laboratories Johannesburg. For speciation, the device correctly identified 87.5% for Plasmodium Vivax and 93.5% for Plasmodium Falciparum at City Hospital India. Lastly, comparing the device parasite count with that of trained microscopes, produced an average pearsons correlation of 0.87.