Article
Immunology
Janette Reader, Mariette E. van der Watt, Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
Summary: This study optimized a simple and cost-effective strategy for describing the stage-specific action of antimalarial compounds against different developmental stages of the malaria parasite.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanna Y. Ehrlich, Amy K. Bei, Daniel M. Weinberger, Joshua L. Warren, Sunil Parikh
Summary: Resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) poses a threat to global malaria control, with persistent circulation of parasite alleles associated with reduced partner drug susceptibility contributing to clinical resistance. Rainfall seasonality was identified as the strongest predictor of wild-type genotype prevalence, with other covariates showing weaker associations. Our models estimated a decrease in prevalence of the pfcrt 76T mutation in 90% of regions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Adam M. Fimbo, Omary Mashiku Minzi, Bruno P. Mmbando, Parthasarathi Gurumurthy, Appolinary A. R. Kamuhabwa, Eleni Aklillu
Summary: A large-scale active safety surveillance of adverse events following IA mass drug administration in Tanzania found that the incidence of experiencing MDA-associated adverse events was 4.8%, with most being mild to moderate and resolving within 72 hours. Clinical symptoms, chronic illness, and gender were identified as significant predictors of adverse events.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wen Zeng, Ning Liu, Yuchun Li, Ai Gao, Mengyi Yuan, Rui Ma, Na Jiang, Dingwei Sun, Guangze Wang, Xinyu Feng
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in ancient malaria-endemic areas of Hainan. The results showed that the prevalence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher in males, Li ethnic minority, and malaria patients compared to females, Han ethnic majority, and non-malarial patients. The spatial distribution of G6PD deficiency and malaria were different.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lindsey Wu, Michelle S. Hsiang, Lisa M. Prach, Leah Schrubbe, Henry Ntuku, Mi-Suk Kang Dufour, Brooke Whittemore, Valerie Scott, Joy Yala, Kathryn W. Roberts, Catriona Patterson, Joseph Biggs, Tom Hall, Kevin K. A. Tetteh, Cara Smith Gueye, Bryan Greenhouse, Adam Bennett, Jennifer L. Smith, Stark Katokele, Petrina Uusiku, Davis Mumbengegwi, Roly Gosling, Chris Drakeley, Immo Kleinschmidt
Summary: Serology is increasingly used to complement clinical and parasitological surveillance in measuring changes in malaria transmission. This study conducted a secondary analysis based on a cluster randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of intervention methods. The results showed that the serological marker Etramp5.AgI had statistically significant effects on reducing malaria prevalence in the intervention arms.
Article
Parasitology
Harouna M. Soumare, Edgard Diniba Dabira, Muhammed M. Camara, Lamin Jadama, Pa Modou Gaye, Sainey Kanteh, Ebrima A. Jawara, Amie Kolleh Njie, Fatou Sanneh, Mamadou Ousman Ndiath, Steven W. Lindsay, Bakary Conteh, Sainey Ceesay, Nuredin Mohammed, Michael Ooko, John Bradley, Chris Drakeley, Annette Erhart, Teun Bousema, Umberto D'Alessandro
Summary: This study evaluated the entomological impact of mass drug administration (MDA) with combined drugs on mosquito density, entomological inoculation rate, and vector parity through a cluster-randomized trial. The results showed that MDA can decrease mosquito density and entomological inoculation rate, but its effect on vector parity is not clear.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sibonakaliso Vilakati, Nontokozo Mngadi, Jade Benjamin-Chung, Nomcebo Dlamini, Mi-Suk Kang Dufour, Brooke Whittemore, Khayelihle Bhangu, Lisa M. Prach, Kimberly Baltzell, Nomcebo Nhlabathi, Calisile Malambe, Bongani Dlamini, Danica Helb, Bryan Greenhouse, Gugu Maphalala, Deepa Pindolia, Muhindo Kalungero, Getahun Tesfa, Roly Gosling, Nyasatu Ntshalintshali, Simon Kunene, Michelle S. Hsiang
Summary: In a very low-endemic, real-world setting, reactive focal mass drug administration (rfMDA) using dihydroartemisin-piperaquine (DP) was found to be safe, but did not reduce malaria incidence compared to reactive case detection (RACD), possibly due to inadequate coverage and/or power. Improved coverage, complementary interventions, and adaptive ring trial designs may be necessary to assess the impact of interventions in very low-endemic settings.
Article
Immunology
Maya Fraser, John M. Miller, Kafula Silumbe, Michael Hainsworth, Mutinta Mudenda, Busiku Hamainza, Hawela Moonga, Elizabeth Chizema Kawesha, Laina D. Mercer, Adam Bennett, Kammerle Schneider, Hannah C. Slater, Thomas P. Eisele, Caterina Guinovart
Summary: This study found that implementing 1 year of programmatic mass drug administration in southern Zambia significantly reduced malaria incidence. However, additional tools and measures are needed for malaria elimination.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Semira Abdelmenan, Hiwot Teka, Jimee Hwang, Samuel Girma, Sheleme Chibsa, Eric Tongren, Matthew Murphy, Mebrahatom Haile, Dereje Dillu, Jawar Kassim, Sinknesh Behaksra, Fitsum G. Tadesse, Joshua Yukich, Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku, Joseph Keating, Ayele Zewde, Endalamaw Gadisa
Summary: This study aims to compare the impact of Reactive Case Detection (RCD) and targeted Mass Drug Administration (tMDA) on malaria elimination. The study will be conducted in Ethiopia using a three-arm cluster-randomized control trial, with the annual parasite incidence before and after interventions as the outcome measure. This study will provide evidence for malaria elimination interventions.
Article
Immunology
Michael A. Gillette, D. R. Mani, Christopher Uschnig, Karell G. Pelle, Lola Madrid, Sozinho Acacio, Miguel Lanaspa, Pedro Alonso, Clarissa Valim, Steven A. Carr, Stephen F. Schaffner, Bronwyn MacInnis, Danny A. Milner, Quique Bassat, Dyann F. Wirth
Summary: This study identified blood protein signatures highly associated with neutrophil biology to reliably differentiate bacterial pneumonia from other causes in pediatric patients. These markers could potentially provide the basis for a rapid diagnostic tool for field-based triage for antibiotic treatment of pediatric pneumonia with appropriate technology.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kanokwan Suwannarong, Chris Cotter, Thanomsin Ponlap, Nisachon Bubpa, Kannika Thammasutti, Jintana Chaiwan, Timothy P. Finn, Suravadee Kitchakarn, Andreas Martensson, Kimberly A. Baltzell, Michelle S. Hsiang, Cheewanan Lertpiriyasuwat, Prayuth Sudathip, Adam Bennett
Summary: This qualitative study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of reactive drug administration (RDA) targeting high-risk villages and forest workers for reducing malaria in Thailand. The results showed that RDA was well accepted by both participants and implementers. Participants joined RDA due to their fear of contracting malaria, desire to receive protection, and increased access to healthcare. However, concerns were raised about the safety of taking malaria medicines without being ill and implementation challenges.
Article
Parasitology
Narenrit Wamaket, Oranicha Khamprapa, Sittinont Chainarin, Panisa Thamsawet, Ubolrat Ninsaeng, Suttipong Thongsalee, Veerast Suwan, Jira Sakolvaree, Ratree Takhampunya, Silas A. Davidson, Patrick W. McCardle, Patiwat Sa-angchai, Mavuto Mukaka, Kirakorn Kiattibutr, Amnat Khamsiriwatchara, Wang Nguitragool, Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Jeeraphat Sirichaisinthop, Kevin C. Kobylinski
Summary: This study in Surat Thani province, Thailand, characterized the bionomics of Anopheles mosquitoes and found that the area is ideal for evaluating the impact of ivermectin MDA on An. minimus parity. Results showed differences in mosquito species and parity rates, providing valuable information for future malaria elimination efforts.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Monica P. Shah, Jimee Hwang, Leslie Choi, Kim A. Lindblade, S. Patrick Kachur, Meghna Desai
Summary: Studies evaluating mass drug administration in malarious areas have shown reductions in malaria immediately following the intervention, but these effects are not sustained and vary by endemicity. The sustained effect of MDA on malaria transmission differs between moderate-to-high transmission settings and very low-to-low transmission settings. The risk of drug-associated adverse effects following MDA needs further investigation.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Subulade A. Ademola, Oluwayemi J. Bamikole, Olukemi K. Amodu
Summary: Malaria remains a global public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The number of malaria deaths decreased steadily from 2000 to 2019, but there was an increase of 10% in 2020 due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Four countries, namely Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Tanzania, accounted for over half of the malaria deaths globally. Nigeria has the highest burden of diabetes in Africa, with a prevalence of 5.77%. Studies have shown an interaction between malaria and type 2 diabetes (T2D), with malaria infection in pregnancy potentially leading to low birth weight and an increased risk of T2D later in life. Inflammation, particularly involving tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), plays a crucial role in the co-existence of malaria and T2D.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexandra Fehr, Joan Muela, Claudia Nieto-Sanchez, Ebrima Manneh, Dullo Baldeh, Omar Ceesay, Azucena Bardaji, Teun Zuiderent-Jerak, Joske Bunders-Aelen
Summary: This study conducted a social science analysis alongside an MDA clinical trial for malaria control in The Gambia, focusing on the impact of social cohesion on trial coverage. The study found that the expression of social cohesion had significant effects on trial coverage and compliance. Villages with low coverage exhibited passive social cohesion, while villages with high coverage showed more proactive engagement with the trial implementation.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elifaged Hailemeskel, Surafel K. Tebeje, Sinknesh W. Behaksra, Girma Shumie, Getasew Shitaye, Migbaru Keffale, Wakweya Chali, Abrham Gashaw, Temesgen Ashine, Chris Drakeley, Teun Bousema, Endalamaw Gadisa, Fitsum G. Tadesse
Summary: The study investigated the epidemiology and detectability of asymptomatic malaria infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in different transmission settings in Ethiopia. It was found that conventional diagnostics missed nearly half of the asymptomatic Plasmodium reservoir detected by nPCR, especially in older age groups and low transmission settings. This highlights the need for sensitive diagnostic tools to detect the entire parasite reservoir and potential infection transmitters.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen Ward, Christina Atchison, Matthew Whitaker, Kylie E. C. Ainslie, Joshua Elliott, Lucy Okell, Rozlyn Redd, Deborah Ashby, Christl A. Donnelly, Wendy Barclay, Ara Darzi, Graham Cooke, Steven Riley, Paul Elliott
Summary: The REACT-2 study in England found that by mid-July 2020, around 6% of adults had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, with healthcare workers and individuals of Black or South Asian ethnicity disproportionately affected. Although different ethnicities had similar infection fatality ratios, higher hospitalization and mortality rates in minority ethnic groups may be due to higher rates of infection rather than differential disease experience or care.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joseph D. Challenger, Cher Y. Foo, Yue Wu, Ada W. C. Yan, Mahdi Moradi Marjaneh, Felicity Liew, Ryan S. Thwaites, Lucy C. Okell, Aubrey J. Cunnington
Summary: The relationships between viral load, severity of illness, and transmissibility of the virus are crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and developing effective therapeutic and preventive strategies. In this study, a within-host model was used to analyze the viral load dynamics in the upper respiratory tract (URT) based on data from 605 subjects. The study revealed wide variation in URT viral load between individuals, which was not explained by demographic or clinical variables. A mechanistic model was developed to describe viral load dynamics and host response, and it was found that neutralising antibodies were strongly correlated with immune-mediated control of viral load.
Article
Parasitology
Stijn W. van Beek, Elin M. Svensson, Alfred B. Tiono, Joseph Okebe, Umberto D'Alessandro, Bronner P. Goncalves, Teun Bousema, Chris Drakeley, Rob ter Heine
Summary: This study predicts small and transient reductions in hemoglobin levels following mass drug administration with single low-dose primaquine (SLD-PQ) in a sub-Saharan African setting, supporting its feasibility.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Olanrewaju Edun, Yulia Shenderovich, Siyanai Zhou, Elona Toska, Lucy Okell, Jeffrey W. Eaton, Lucie Cluver
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, awareness of HIV-positive status among adolescents is low, despite being on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Factors such as age and urban location influence the disclosure of HIV-positive status among adolescents. However, awareness of HIV-positive status is not associated with ART adherence, viral suppression, or mental health symptoms among adolescents. Treatment adherence decreases after disclosure for those who were unaware of their status at baseline.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Johannes H. A. M. Kaanders, Sven van den Bosch, Jos Kleijnen
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate if patients with head and neck cancer in randomized clinical trials are representative of the clinically treated population. The study found that patients in the trials had a good performance status and were younger compared to the general population. The recruitment in these trials was also found to be overly restrictive. Critical evaluation of trial population characteristics is recommended before implementing the results in clinical guidelines and general practice.
JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Monica Anna de Cola, Benoit Sawadogo, Sol Richardson, Taiwo Ibinaiye, Adama Traore, Cheick Said Compaore, Chibuzo Oguoma, Olusola Oresanya, Gauthier Tougri, Christian Rassi, Arantxa Roca-Feltrer, Patrick Walker, Lucy C. Okell
Summary: By merging data from Demographic Health Surveys with rainfall, geographical, and program data, the impact of SMC on children in Burkina Faso and Nigeria was assessed. The study found that the impact of SMC in reducing malaria prevalence can be detected through household surveys conducted during or within 2 months after SMC administration.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oliver J. Watson, Bo Gao, Tran Dang Nguyen, Thu Nguyen-Anh Tran, Melissa A. Penny, David L. Smith, Lucy Okell, Ricardo Aguas, Maciej F. Boni
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of high levels of partner-drug resistance on the early emergence of artemisinin-resistant genotypes, finding that higher frequencies of pre-existing partner-drug resistance genotypes lead to earlier establishment of artemisinin resistance. It highlights the importance of continued investment in molecular surveillance of partner-drug resistant genotypes to guide the choice of first-line ACTs.
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Sven van den Bosch, Michal Czerwinski, Tim Govers, Robert P. Takes, Remco de Bree, Abrahim Al-Mamgani, Gerjon Hannink, Johannes H. A. M. Kaanders
Summary: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The pooled estimates showed that SLNB had high sensitivity and negative predictive value, supporting its importance in the diagnostic workup. Further randomized trials are needed to evaluate the oncologic safety and treatment-related morbidity benefits of SLNB.
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mahdi Moradi Marjaneh, Joseph D. Challenger, Antonio Salas, Alberto Gomez-Carballa, Abilash Sivananthan, Irene Rivero-Calle, Gema Barbeito-Castineiras, Cher Y. Foo, Yue Wu, Felicity Liew, Heather R. Jackson, Dominic Habgood-Coote, Giselle D'Souza, Samuel J. Nichols, Victoria J. Wright, Michael Levin, Myrsini Kaforou, Ryan S. Thwaites, Lucy C. Okell, Federico Martinon-Torres, Aubrey J. Cunnington
Summary: This study aims to identify mechanisms controlling the viral load in the upper respiratory tract by combining mathematical modeling and transcriptome analysis. The results suggest correlations between natural killer cells and various molecular mechanisms with the viral load, which may contribute to the development of interventions to reduce transmission.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Johannes H. A. . M. Kaanders, Johan Bussink, Erik H. J. G. Aarntzen, Petra Braam, Heidi Rutten, Richard W. M. van der Maazen, Marcel Verheij, Sven van den Bosch
Summary: PET imaging with [18F]FDG-PET has proven value in the management of malignant diseases, and has potential for individualized radiotherapy dose prescription. This review discusses the current status, progress, and future expectations of [18F]FDG-PET in individualized radiotherapy for various tumor types.
SEMINARS IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Winskill, Aggrey Dhabangi, Titus K. Kwambai, Amani Thomas Mori, Andria Mousa, Lucy C. Okell
Summary: Severe malarial anaemia cases are mostly present in the community rather than being hospitalized. The burden on public health depends on the severity of these cases. Strengthening the healthcare system and conducting research to understand the range of diseases associated with severe malarial anaemia cases in the community are crucial.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richard J. Sheppard, Oliver J. Watson, Rachel Pieciak, James Lungu, Geoffrey Kwenda, Crispin Moyo, Stephen Longa Chanda, Gregory Barnsley, Nicholas F. Brazeau, Ines C. G. Gerard-Ursin, Daniela Olivera Mesa, Charles Whittaker, Simon Gregson, Lucy C. Okell, Azra C. Ghani, William B. MacLeod, Emanuele Del Fava, Alessia Melegaro, Jonas Z. Hines, Lloyd B. Mulenga, Patrick G. T. Walker, Lawrence Mwananyanda, Christopher J. Gill
Summary: The severity of COVID-19 epidemic in Lusaka, Zambia is comparable to global norms, but true impact in sub-Saharan countries is difficult to estimate due to limitations in data quality and surveillance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Maurice C. Cox, Tijn Jurcka, Anne I. J. Arens, Maartje C. van Rijk, Johannes H. A. M. Kaanders, Sven van den Bosch
Summary: This study compares quantitative [F-18]FDG uptake metrics of primary tumors and lymph nodes in HNSCC patients using EARL2 and EARL1 reconstructed images and describes the clinical implications for nodal staging and treatment.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nicholas F. Brazeau, Robert Verity, Sara Jenks, Han Fu, Charles Whittaker, Peter Winskill, Ilaria Dorigatti, Patrick G. T. Walker, Steven Riley, Ricardo P. Schnekenberg, Henrique Hoeltgebaum, Thomas A. Mellan, Swapnil Mishra, H. Juliette T. Unwin, Oliver J. Watson, Zulma M. Cucunuba, Marc Baguelin, Lilith Whittles, Samir Bhatt, Azra C. Ghani, Neil M. Ferguson, Lucy C. Okell
Summary: The authors developed a statistical model that accounted for uncertainties in estimating the infection fatality ratio (IFR) of COVID-19, considering factors such as seroreversion and serologic test characteristics. By analyzing serologic studies from various countries, they found that time plays a crucial role in seroreversion, but is less significant during the initial phase of the pandemic. By disaggregating surveys by regions with varying disease burden, they were able to better estimate the specificity of serologic tests.
COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE
(2022)