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Schnyder JL, de Jong HK, Bache EB, van Hest RM, Schlagenhauf P, Borrmann S, Hanscheid T, Grobusch MP. On the potential for discontinuing atovaquone-proguanil (AP) ad-hoc post-exposure and other abbreviated AP-regimens: Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and perspectives. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 52:102520. [PMID: 36526126 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
According to current guidelines, atovaquone-proguanil (AP) malaria chemoprophylaxis should be taken once daily starting one day before travel and continued for seven days post-exposure. However, drug-sparing regimens, including discontinuing AP after leaving malaria-endemic areas are cost-saving and probably more attractive to travelers, and may thus enhance adherence. AP has causal prophylactic effects, killing malaria parasites during the hepatic stage. If early hepatic stages were already targeted by AP, AP could possibly be discontinued upon return. Pharmacokinetic data and studies on drug-sparing AP regimens suggest this to be the case. Nevertheless, the evidence is weak and considered insufficient to modify current recommendations. Field trials require large numbers of travelers and inherently suffer from the lack of a control group. Safely-designed controlled human malaria infection trials could significantly reduce study participant numbers and safely establish an effective AP abbreviated regimen which we propose as the optimal trial design to test this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Schnyder
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanna K de Jong
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emmanuel B Bache
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reinier M van Hest
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy & Clinical Pharmacology, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zurich Centre for Travel Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, Department of Public and Global Health, Military Medicine Biology Competence Centre, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Thomas Hanscheid
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Masanga Medical Research Unit (MMRU), Masanga, Sierra Leone; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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2
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Schnyder JL, de Jong HK, Schlagenhauf P, Borrmann S, Hanscheid T, Grobusch MP. Discontinuing atovaquone/proguanil prophylaxis ad-hoc post-exposure and during-travel dose-sparing prophylactic regimens against P. falciparum malaria: An update with pointers for future research. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 49:102365. [PMID: 35661741 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atovaquone/proguanil (AP) is a highly effective malaria chemoprophylaxis combination. According to current guidelines, AP is taken once daily during, and continued for seven days post exposure. A systematic review by Savelkoel et al. summarised data up to 2017 on abbreviated AP regimens, and concluded that discontinuing AP upon return may be effective, although the available data was insufficient to modify current recommendations. The same applies to other studies evaluating during-travel dose-sparing regimens. METHODS A literature search in Pubmed and Embase was performed including search terms related to AP prophylaxis and pharmacokinetics to search for recent studies on abbreviated AP regimens published since 2017. RESULTS Since the 2017 review, no new studies assessing discontinuing AP ad-hoc post-exposure prophylaxis have been published. Two new studies were identified assessing other abbreviated AP regimens; one investigated a twice-weekly AP regimen in 32 travellers, and one a three-day AP course in therapeutic dose (1000/400 mg) prior to exposure in 215 travellers. No malaria cases were detected in the study participants adhering to these regimens. CONCLUSIONS Further research would be needed if the research question is considered of sufficient importance to facilitate evidence-based decision-making to modify current guidelines, as efficacy studies in travellers are fraught with confounders. We recommend human challenge trials to study abbreviated AP regimens pertaining to malaria chemoprophylaxis as they allow for rational, subject number, time- and cost-saving trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Schnyder
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanna K de Jong
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zurich Centre for Travel Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers' Health, Department of Public and Global Health, Military Medicine Biology Competence Centre, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hanscheid
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Masanga Medical Research Unit (MMRU), Masanga, Gabon; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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3
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Khoury S, Kaplan S, Zaidenstein R, Cohen E, Tischler-Aurkin D, Sheffer R, Mathew L, Mor Z. Adherence to antimalarial chemoprophylaxis among Israeli travelers visiting malaria-endemic areas. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 44:102193. [PMID: 34728384 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travelers are recommended to take antimalarial chemoprophylaxis (AMC) when traveling to endemic areas. METHODS This prospective comparative cohort study included 400 Israeli travelers to malaria-endemic areas, recruited in pre-travel clinics. They were contacted within one month following their return and asked about their actual adherence and the reasons for non-adherence. RESULTS Of 400 travelers with a mean age of 24.6 [SD = 4] years, 201 (50.2%) were men and 328 (82%) were singles. The majority (N = 185, 46.3%) traveled with friends, and the most common travel destination was southeast Asia (N = 267, 66.8%). Most travelers (N = 340, 85%) did not adhere to the AMC. In the multivariate analysis, non-adherence was found to be significantly associated with traveling solo or with friends, traveling to southeast Asia and longer travel duration. The most common reason for non-adherence among travelers was the perception that the risk of contracting malaria is low (N = 251, 73.8%). CONCLUSION In this study, 85% of the Israeli travelers did not adhere to the AMC, especially those traveling solo or with friends, visiting southeast Asia and for a long period. Counselors at the pre-travel clinics should stress the importance of AMC in highly endemic countries and consider alternative treatment strategies, especially in low risk areas or long duration travel, such as short-term schedule or reserve AMC for field trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobhi Khoury
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Shiran Kaplan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Zaidenstein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Internal Medicine Department A, Shamir (Assaf-Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel; Mor Travel Clinics, Israel
| | - Erica Cohen
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Rivka Sheffer
- Tel Aviv Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lewis Mathew
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Izrael Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Afula, Israel
| | - Zohar Mor
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Tel Aviv Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel; School of Health Sciences, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel
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4
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Agudelo Higuita NI, White BP, Franco-Paredes C, McGhee MA. An update on prevention of malaria in travelers. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:20499361211040690. [PMID: 34484736 PMCID: PMC8408895 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211040690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a parasitic disease caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Plasmodium, continues to represent a formidable public health challenge. Despite being a preventable disease, cases reported among travelers have continued to increase in recent decades. Protection of travelers against malaria, a potentially life-threatening disease, is of paramount importance, and it is therefore necessary for healthcare professionals to be up to date with the most recent recommendations. The present review provides an update of the existent measures for malaria prevention among travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryan Pinckney White
- Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, Oklahoma University Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Miranda Ann McGhee
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 800 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Suite 7300, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current status of 8-aminoquinolines in the prophylaxis of malaria among travelers, in light of the recent approval of tafenoquine. RECENT FINDINGS Primaquine continues to provide excellent primary prophylaxis against all Plasmodium species. Tafenoquine provides similarly good prophylaxis, with the benefit of weekly dosing. Both agents require glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity testing before use and are contraindicated in pregnancy. Pharmacodynamic variability relating to CYP2D6 may underlie some cases of primaquine failure; the effects of CYP2D6 on tafenoquine efficacy require further study. Tafenoquine and primaquine are the only current drugs that provide complete malaria prophylaxis, and should be considered the agents of choice in areas where both P. vivax and falciparum are frequent. Monthly tafenoquine is promising and should be further studied in travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Meltzer
- Center for Geographic Medicine and Department of Medicine C, Sheba Medical Center, 52621, Tel Hashomer, Israel. .,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Center for Geographic Medicine and Department of Medicine C, Sheba Medical Center, 52621, Tel Hashomer, Israel. .,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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6
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Biber A, Harel R, Schwartz E. Further observation of travellers taking twice-weekly atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa. J Travel Med 2019; 26:5255712. [PMID: 30690466 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asaf Biber
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Reut Harel
- Internal Medicine C, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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7
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Meltzer E, Schwartz E. Atovaquone-proguanil chemoprophylaxis in the era of Tafenoquine. J Travel Med 2019; 26:5238719. [PMID: 30535377 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Meltzer
- From the Center for Geographic Medicine and Department of Medicine C at the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- From the Center for Geographic Medicine and Department of Medicine C at the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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8
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Macintyre F, Ramachandruni H, Burrows JN, Holm R, Thomas A, Möhrle JJ, Duparc S, Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Greenwood B, Gutteridge WE, Wells TNC, Kaszubska W. Injectable anti-malarials revisited: discovery and development of new agents to protect against malaria. Malar J 2018; 17:402. [PMID: 30384848 PMCID: PMC6211409 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, the majority of malaria drug discovery and development efforts have focused on new molecules and regimens to treat patients with uncomplicated or severe disease. In addition, a number of new molecular scaffolds have been discovered which block the replication of the parasite in the liver, offering the possibility of new tools for oral prophylaxis or chemoprotection, potentially with once-weekly dosing. However, an intervention which requires less frequent administration than this would be a key tool for the control and elimination of malaria. Recent progress in HIV drug discovery has shown that small molecules can be formulated for injections as native molecules or pro-drugs which provide protection for at least 2 months. Advances in antibody engineering offer an alternative approach whereby a single injection could potentially provide protection for several months. Building on earlier profiles for uncomplicated and severe malaria, a target product profile is proposed here for an injectable medicine providing long-term protection from this disease. As with all of such profiles, factors such as efficacy, cost, safety and tolerability are key, but with the changing disease landscape in Africa, new clinical and regulatory approaches are required to develop prophylactic/chemoprotective medicines. An overall framework for these approaches is suggested here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Macintyre
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hanu Ramachandruni
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy N Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - René Holm
- Drug Product Development, Janssen R&D, Johnson & Johnson, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anna Thomas
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jörg J Möhrle
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Duparc
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Brian Greenwood
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Timothy N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Wiweka Kaszubska
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Route de Pré Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
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9
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Lau CL, Ramsey L, Mills LC, Furuya-Kanamori L, Mills DJ. Drug-free Holidays: Compliance, Tolerability, and Acceptability of a 3-Day Atovaquone/Proguanil Schedule for Pretravel Malaria Chemoprophylaxis in Australian Travelers. Clin Infect Dis 2018; 69:137-143. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen L Lau
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
- Dr Deb the Travel Doctor, Travel Medicine Alliance, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Lani Ramsey
- Travel-Bug Vaccination Clinic, Travel Medicine Alliance, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Laura C Mills
- Dr Deb the Travel Doctor, Travel Medicine Alliance, Brisbane, Queensland
| | - Luis Furuya-Kanamori
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha
| | - Deborah J Mills
- Dr Deb the Travel Doctor, Travel Medicine Alliance, Brisbane, Queensland
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10
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Savelkoel J, Binnendijk KH, Spijker R, van Vugt M, Tan K, Hänscheid T, Schlagenhauf P, Grobusch MP. Abbreviated atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis regimens in travellers after leaving malaria-endemic areas: A systematic review. Travel Med Infect Dis 2018; 21:3-20. [PMID: 29242073 PMCID: PMC10956543 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated existing data on the prophylactic efficacy of atovaquone-proguanil (AP) in order to determine whether prophylaxis in travellers can be discontinued on the day of return from a malaria-endemic area instead of seven days after return as per currently recommended post-travel schedule. METHODS PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify relevant studies. This PROSPERO-registered systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy included terms or synonyms relevant to AP combined with terms to identify articles relating to prophylactic use of AP and inhibitory and half-life properties of AP. Studies considered for inclusion were: randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, quasi-experimental studies, open-label trials, patient-control studies, cross-sectional studies; as well as case-series and non-clinical studies. Data on study design, characteristics of participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. Primary outcomes considered relevant were prophylactic efficacy and prolonged inhibitory activity and half-life properties of AP. RESULTS The initial search identified 1,482 publications, of which 40 were selected based on screening. Following full text review, 32 studies were included and categorized into two groups, namely studies in support of the current post-travel regimen (with a total of 2,866 subjects) and studies in support of an alternative regimen (with a total of 533 subjects). CONCLUSION There is limited direct and indirect evidence to suggest that an abbreviated post-travel regimen for AP may be effective. Proguanil, however, has a short half-life and is essential for the synergistic effect of the combination. Stopping AP early may result in mono-prophylaxis with atovaquone and possibly select for atovaquone-resistant parasites. Furthermore, the quality of the studies in support of the current post-travel regimen outweighs the quality of the studies in support of an alternative short, post-travel regimen, and the total sample size of the studies to support stopping AP early comprises a small percentage of the total sample size of the studies performed to establish the efficacy of the current AP regimen. Additional research is required - especially from studies evaluating impact on malaria parasitaemia and clinical illness and conducted among travellers in high malaria risk settings - before an abbreviated regimen can be recommended in current practice. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017055244.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelmer Savelkoel
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, DD1100 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Hendrik Binnendijk
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, DD1100 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rene Spijker
- Medical Library, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, DD1100 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michèle van Vugt
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, DD1100 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kathrine Tan
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas Hänscheid
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular and Department of Microbiology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zürich Travel Clinic, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers' Health, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Peter Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, DD1100 Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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Rabinowicz S, Schwartz E. Morbidity among Israeli paediatric travellers. J Travel Med 2017; 24:4191320. [PMID: 29088478 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND International travel, particularly to developing countries, is becoming increasingly common among the Israeli population, including an increase in the number of travelling children. Since children are a distinct travellers' population, data about their post-travel morbidity are needed. METHODS A retrospective study which examined all children (0-19 years old) who presented to our centre after international travel from 1999 to 2015. RESULTS About 314 children were seen. The mean age was 10 years (SD ± 5.8). Most of the patients (80.6%) were tourists, and the rest were expatriates. The main destinations visited were South-Asia (46.5%), Sub-Saharan Africa (33.4%), Latin-America (7%) and Europe (6.4%). Overall, the most common diagnoses were gastrointestinal (GI) (mainly chronic) disorders (30.6%), followed by febrile diseases (26.4%), among which 18.1% of patients were diagnosed with dengue fever and 12% with malaria. Dermatologic conditions accounted for 25.2%. Additional diagnoses were schistosomiasis (6.4%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (2.2%). A substantial part, 10.8%, had eosinophilia, either symptomatic or asymptomatic. Travellers to Asia, compared to travellers to Africa, presented more commonly with GI illness (OR 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.61), and dermatologic conditions (OR 1.94, 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.61). Morbidity was associated with a variety of transmission modes, such as food-borne illnesses (30.9%), bite and sting wounds (10.2%), mosquito-borne infections (8%), freshwater contact (6.7%) and tick-borne infections (2.2%). CONCLUSION The main conditions seen in paediatric returning travellers were GI, febrile and dermatologic illnesses, some may be rare in their country of origin. Targeting care for the suspected pathogens based on updated knowledge of epidemiology and thorough travel history is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Rabinowicz
- Department of Pediatrics A, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
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12
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Minta AA, Tan KR, Mace KE, Arguin PM. Acute malaria infection after atovaquone-proguanil prophylaxis. J Travel Med 2017; 24:2742007. [PMID: 28934451 PMCID: PMC5609460 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taw080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Minta
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kathrine R Tan
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kimberly E Mace
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paul M Arguin
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Lachish
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare-Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Center for Geographic Medicine the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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14
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Abstract
Alternative approaches to malaria chemoprophylaxis are discussed in light of the difficulties of executing clinical trials within limits of infection rates and ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Shanks
- Australian Army Malaria Institute, Enoggera, QLD 4051, Australia School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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