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Shafi J, Virk MK, Kalk E, Carlucci JG, Chepkemoi A, Bernard C, McHenry MS, Were E, Humphrey J, Davies MA, Mehta UC, Patel RC. Pharmacovigilance in Pregnancy Studies, Exposures and Outcomes Ascertainment, and Findings from Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. Drug Saf 2024; 47:957-990. [PMID: 38907172 PMCID: PMC11399196 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-024-01445-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmacovigilance (PV), or the ongoing safety monitoring after a medication has been licensed, plays a crucial role in pregnancy, as clinical trials often exclude pregnant people. It is important to understand how pregnancy PV projects operate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is a disproportionate lack of PV data yet a high burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a scoping review to assess how exposures and outcomes were measured in recently published pregnancy PV projects in LMICs. METHODS We utilized a search string, secondary review, and team knowledge to review publications focusing on therapeutic or vaccine exposures among pregnant people in LMICs. We screened abstracts for relevance before conducting a full text review, and documented measurements of exposures and outcomes (categorized as maternal, birth, or neonatal/infant) among other factors, including study topic, setting, and design, comparator groups, and funding sources. RESULTS We identified 31 PV publications spanning at least 24 LMICs, all focusing on therapeutics or vaccines for infectious diseases, including HIV (n = 17), tuberculosis (TB; n = 9), malaria (n = 7), pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria (n = 1), and influenza (n = 3). As for outcomes, n = 15, n = 31, and n = 20 of the publications covered maternal, birth, and neonatal/infant outcomes, respectively. Among HIV-specific publications, the primary exposure-outcome relationship of focus was exposure to maternal antiretroviral therapy and adverse outcomes. For TB-specific publications, the main exposures of interest were second-line drug-resistant TB and isoniazid-based prevention therapeutics for pregnant people living with HIV. For malaria-specific publications, the primary exposure-outcome relationship of interest was antimalarial medication exposure during pregnancy and adverse outcomes. Among vaccine-focused publications, the exposure was assessed during a specific time during pregnancy, with an overall interest in vaccine safety and/or efficacy. The study settings were frequently from Africa, designs varied from cohort or cross-sectional studies to clinical trials, and funding sources were largely from high-income countries. CONCLUSION The published pregnancy PV projects were largely centered in Africa and concerned with infectious diseases. This may reflect the disease burden in LMICs but also funding priorities from high-income countries. As the prevalence of non-communicable diseases increases in LMICs, PV projects will have to broaden their scope. Birth and neonatal/infant outcomes were most reported, with fewer reporting on maternal outcomes and none on longer-term child outcomes; additionally, heterogeneity existed in definitions and ascertainment of specific measures. Notably, almost all projects covered a single therapeutic exposure, missing an opportunity to leverage their projects to cover additional exposures, add scientific rigor, create uniformity across health services, and bolster existing health systems. For many publications, the timing of exposure, specifically by trimester, was crucial to maternal and neonatal safety. While currently published pregnancy PV literature offer insights into the PV landscape in LMICs, further work is needed to standardize definitions and measurements, integrate PV projects across health services, and establish longer-term monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma Kalk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary-Ann Davies
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ushma C Mehta
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rena C Patel
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Saito M, McGready R, Tinto H, Rouamba T, Mosha D, Rulisa S, Kariuki S, Desai M, Manyando C, Njunju EM, Sevene E, Vala A, Augusto O, Clerk C, Were E, Mrema S, Kisinza W, Byamugisha J, Kagawa M, Singlovic J, Yore M, van Eijk AM, Mehta U, Stergachis A, Hill J, Stepniewska K, Gomes M, Guérin PJ, Nosten F, Ter Kuile FO, Dellicour S. Pregnancy outcomes after first-trimester treatment with artemisinin derivatives versus non-artemisinin antimalarials: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet 2023; 401:118-130. [PMID: 36442488 PMCID: PMC9874756 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are a highly effective, first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, except in the first trimester of pregnancy, when quinine with clindamycin is recommended due to concerns about the potential embryotoxicity of artemisinins. We compared adverse pregnancy outcomes after artemisinin-based treatment (ABT) versus non-ABTs in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS For this systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Malaria in Pregnancy Library for prospective cohort studies published between Nov 1, 2015, and Dec 21, 2021, containing data on outcomes of pregnancies exposed to ABT and non-ABT in the first trimester. The results of this search were added to those of a previous systematic review that included publications published up until November, 2015. We included pregnancies enrolled before the pregnancy outcome was known. We excluded pregnancies with missing estimated gestational age or exposure information, multiple gestation pregnancies, and if the fetus was confirmed to be unviable before antimalarial treatment. The primary endpoint was adverse pregnancy outcome, defined as a composite of either miscarriage, stillbirth, or major congenital anomalies. A one-stage IPD meta-analysis was done by use of shared-frailty Cox models. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42015032371. FINDINGS We identified seven eligible studies that included 12 cohorts. All 12 cohorts contributed IPD, including 34 178 pregnancies, 737 with confirmed first-trimester exposure to ABTs and 1076 with confirmed first-trimester exposure to non-ABTs. Adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in 42 (5·7%) of 736 ABT-exposed pregnancies compared with 96 (8·9%) of 1074 non-ABT-exposed pregnancies in the first trimester (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0·71, 95% CI 0·49-1·03). Similar results were seen for the individual components of miscarriage (aHR=0·74, 0·47-1·17), stillbirth (aHR=0·71, 0·32-1·57), and major congenital anomalies (aHR=0·60, 0·13-2·87). The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes was lower with artemether-lumefantrine than with oral quinine in the first trimester of pregnancy (25 [4·8%] of 524 vs 84 [9·2%] of 915; aHR 0·58, 0·36-0·92). INTERPRETATION We found no evidence of embryotoxicity or teratogenicity based on the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or major congenital anomalies associated with ABT during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given that treatment with artemether-lumefantrine was associated with fewer adverse pregnancy outcomes than quinine, and because of the known superior tolerability and antimalarial effectiveness of ACTs, artemether-lumefantrine should be considered the preferred treatment for uncomplicated P falciparum malaria in the first trimester. If artemether-lumefantrine is unavailable, other ACTs (except artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) should be preferred to quinine. Continued active pharmacovigilance is warranted. FUNDING Medicines for Malaria Venture, WHO, and the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saito
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rose McGready
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Stephen Rulisa
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Simon Kariuki
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Meghna Desai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Eric M Njunju
- Department of Basic Sciences, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Esperanca Sevene
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Anifa Vala
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Orvalho Augusto
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | | | - Edwin Were
- Department of Reproductive Health, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | | | - William Kisinza
- National Institute of Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Josaphat Byamugisha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mike Kagawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Mackensie Yore
- VA Los Angeles and University of California, Los Angeles National Clinician Scholars Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Health Services Research and Development Service Center of Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ushma Mehta
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, and Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jenny Hill
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kasia Stepniewska
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Melba Gomes
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Philippe J Guérin
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Francois Nosten
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Feiko O Ter Kuile
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephanie Dellicour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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Clark RL. Safety of Treating Malaria with Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy in the First Trimester of Pregnancy. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 111:204-210. [PMID: 35667524 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.05.016] [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: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There have been recent calls for the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for uncomplicated malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy. Nevertheless, the 2021 WHO Guidelines for Malaria reaffirmed their position that there is not adequate clinical safety data on artemisinins to support that usage. The WHO's position is consistent with several issues with the existing clinical data. First, first trimester safety results from multiple ACTs were lumped in a meta-analysis which does not demonstrate that each of the included ACTs is equally safe. Second, safety results from all periods of the first trimester were lumped in the meta-analysis which does not demonstrate the same level of safety for all subperiods, particularly gestational Weeks 6 to 8 which is likely to be the most sensitive period. Third, even if there is evidence of a lack of an effect on miscarriage for a particular ACT, it does not follow then there are no developmental effects for any ACT. In monkeys, artesunate caused marked embryonal anemia leading to embryo death but the long-term consequences of lower levels of embryonal anemia are not known. Fourth, there have been advances in the sensitivity and usage of rapid diagnostic tests that will lead to diagnoses of malaria earlier in gestation which is less well studied and more likely sensitive to artemisinins. Any clinical studies of the safety of ACTs in the first trimester need to evaluate the results of treatment with individual ACTs during different 1- to 2-week periods of the first trimester.
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Shibeshi W, Baye AM, Alemkere G, Engidawork E. Efficacy and Safety of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2021; 17:1353-1370. [PMID: 35221688 PMCID: PMC8866990 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s336771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malaria is one of the infectious diseases with substantial risks for pregnant women, the fetus and the newborn child. Thus, prevention and treatment of malaria with safe and effective drugs is of paramount importance. Pregnant women are mostly excluded from clinical trials, and systematic approaches of pharmacovigilance in pregnancy are limited. This means the safety and efficacy of antimalarial agents during pregnancy are unclear. Purpose This study was designed to carry out a systematic review and aggregate data meta-analysis of literature published on efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated malaria in pregnant women. Methods A search of literature published between 1998 to 2020 on efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in pregnant women was made using Cochrane Library, Medline and the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium Library. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Meta-analysis was carried out using Open Meta-Analyst software. Random effects model was applied, and the heterogeneity of studies was evaluated using Higgins I2. Results Twenty-four studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the final assessment. Overall, days 28 to 63 malaria treatment success rate was 96.1%. Overall days 28 to 63 cure rates for AL, AS+AQ, AS+MQ, DHA+PQ, AS+ATQ+PG and AS+SP were 95.1%, 92.2%, 97.0%,94.3%, 96.5% and 97.4%, respectively. Comparison of ACTs with non-ACTs revealed that the risk of treatment failure was substantially lower in patients treated with ACTs than with non-ACTs (risk ratio 0.20, 95% C.I. 0.09–0.43). The overall prevalences of miscarriage, stillbirth and congenital anomalies were 0.3%, 2.1% and 1.0%, respectively, and found to be comparable among various ACTs. There was comparable tolerability across ACTs during pregnancy. Conclusion ACTs demonstrated a high cure rate, safety and tolerability against Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women. The higher treatment success and comparable tolerability could be used as an input for decision makers to support the continued usage of ACTs for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Workineh Shibeshi
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Workineh Shibeshi Email
| | - Assefa Mulu Baye
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Alemkere
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ephrem Engidawork
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Clark RL. Teratogen update: Malaria in pregnancy and the use of antimalarial drugs in the first trimester. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1403-1449. [PMID: 33079495 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a particular problem in pregnancy because of enhanced sensitivity, the possibility of placental malaria, and adverse effects on pregnancy outcome. Artemisinin-containing combination therapies (ACTs) are the most effective antimalarials known. WHO recommends 7-day quinine therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the first trimester despite the superior tolerability and efficacy of 3-day ACT regimens because artemisinins caused embryolethality and/or cardiovascular malformations at relatively low doses in rats, rabbits, and monkeys. The developmental toxicity of artesunate, artemether, and DHA were similar in rats but artesunate was embryotoxic at lower doses in rabbits (5 mg/kg/day) than artemether (no effect level = 25 mg/kg/day). In clinical studies in Africa, treatment with artemether-lumefantrine in the first trimester was observed to be highly efficacious and the miscarriage rate (≤3.1%) was similar to no antimalarial treatment (2.6%). When data from the first-trimester use of largely artesunate-based therapies in Thailand were pooled together, there was no difference in miscarriage rate compared to quinine. However, individually, artesunate-mefloquine was associated with a higher miscarriage rate (15/71 = 21%) compared to other artemisinin-based therapies including 7-day artesunate + clindamycin (2/50 = 4%) and quinine (92/842 = 11%). Thus, appropriate statistical comparisons of individual ACT groups are needed prior to assuming that they all have the same risk for developmental toxicity. Current limitations in the assessment of the safety of ACTs in the first trimester are a lack of exposures early in gestation (gestational weeks 6-7), limited postnatal evaluation for cardiovascular malformations, and the pooling of all ACTs for the assessment of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Clark
- Artemis Pharmaceutical Research, Saint Augustine, Florida, USA
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D'Alessandro S, Menegola E, Parapini S, Taramelli D, Basilico N. Safety of Artemisinin Derivatives in the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Controversial Story. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25153505. [PMID: 32752056 PMCID: PMC7435965 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria both in adults and children. During pregnancy, ACT is considered safe only in the second and third trimester, since animal studies have demonstrated that artemisinin derivatives can cause foetal death and congenital malformation within a narrow time window in early embryogenesis. During this period, artemisinin derivatives induce defective embryonic erythropoiesis and vasculogenesis/angiogenesis in experimental models. However, clinical data on the safety profile of ACT in pregnant women have not shown an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital malformation, nor low birth weight, associated with exposure to artemisinins in the first trimester. Although further studies are needed, the evidence collected up to now is prompting the WHO towards a change in the guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, allowing the use of ACT also in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D'Alessandro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Menegola
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Basilico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Saito M, Gilder ME, McGready R, Nosten F. Antimalarial drugs for treating and preventing malaria in pregnant and lactating women. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2018; 17:1129-1144. [PMID: 30351243 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2018.1535593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria in pregnancy and postpartum cause maternal mortality and adverse fetal outcomes. Efficacious and safe antimalarials are needed to treat and prevent such serious consequences. However, because of the lack of evidence on fetal safety, quinine, an old and less efficacious drug has long been recommended for pregnant women. Uncertainty about safety in relation to breastfeeding leads to withholding of efficacious treatments postpartum or cessation of breastfeeding. Areas covered: A search identified literature on humans in three databases (MEDLINE, Embase and Global health) using pregnancy or lactation, and the names of antimalarial drugs as search terms. Adverse reactions to the mother, fetus or breastfed infant were summarized together with efficacies. Expert opinion: Artemisinins are more efficacious and well-tolerated than quinine in pregnancy. Furthermore, the risks of miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital abnormality were not higher in pregnancies exposed to artemisinin derivatives for treatment of malaria than in pregnancies exposed to quinine or in the comparable background population unexposed to any antimalarials, and this was true for treatment in any trimester. Assessment of safety and efficacy of antimalarials including dose optimization for pregnant women is incomplete. Resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Plasmodium falciparum and long unprotected intervals between intermittent treatment doses begs reconsideration of current preventative recommendations in pregnancy. Data remain limited on antimalarials during breastfeeding; while most first-line drugs appear safe, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saito
- a Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine , Mahidol University , Tak , Thailand.,b Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK.,c WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) , Oxford , UK
| | - Mary Ellen Gilder
- a Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine , Mahidol University , Tak , Thailand
| | - Rose McGready
- a Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine , Mahidol University , Tak , Thailand.,b Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - François Nosten
- a Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine , Mahidol University , Tak , Thailand.,b Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
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Population Pharmacokinetics of Artemether, Dihydroartemisinin, and Lumefantrine in Rwandese Pregnant Women Treated for Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00518-18. [PMID: 30061282 PMCID: PMC6153812 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00518-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The artemisinin-based combination therapy artemether-lumefantrine is commonly used in pregnant malaria patients. However, the effect of pregnancy-related changes on exposure is unclear, and pregnancy has been associated with decreased efficacy in previous studies. This study aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of artemether, its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin, and lumefantrine in 22 Rwandese pregnant women in their second (n = 11) or third (n = 11) trimester with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. These patients were enrolled from Rwamagana district hospital and received the standard fixed oral dose combination of 80 mg of artemether and 480 mg of lumefantrine twice daily for 3 days. Venous plasma concentrations were quantified for all three analytes using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectroscopy, and data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Lumefantrine pharmacokinetics was described by a flexible but highly variable absorption, with a mean absorption time of 4.04 h, followed by a biphasic disposition model. The median area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC0-∞) for lumefantrine was 641 h · mg/liter. Model-based simulations indicated that 11.7% of the study population did not attain the target day 7 plasma concentration (280 ng/ml), a threshold associated with increased risk of recrudescence. The pharmacokinetics of artemether was time dependent, and the autoinduction of its clearance was described using an enzyme turnover model. The turnover half-life was predicted to be 30.4 h. The typical oral clearance, which started at 467 liters/h, increased 1.43-fold at the end of treatment. Simulations suggested that lumefantrine pharmacokinetic target attainment appeared to be reassuring in Rwandese pregnant women, particularly compared to target attainment in Southeast Asia. Larger cohorts will be required to confirm this finding.
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D'Alessandro U, Hill J, Tarning J, Pell C, Webster J, Gutman J, Sevene E. Treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria during pregnancy. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 18:e133-e146. [PMID: 29395998 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 10 years, the available evidence on the treatment of malaria during pregnancy has increased substantially. Owing to their relative ease of use, good sensitivity and specificity, histidine rich protein 2 based rapid diagnostic tests are appropriate for symptomatic pregnant women; however, such tests are less appropriate for systematic screening because they will not detect an important proportion of infections among asymptomatic women. The effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of antimalarial drugs varies greatly between studies and class of antimalarial drugs, emphasising the need for prospective studies in pregnant and non-pregnant women. For the treatment of malaria during the first trimester, international guidelines are being reviewed by WHO. For the second and third trimester of pregnancy, results from several trials have confirmed that artemisinin-based combination treatments are safe and efficacious, although tolerability and efficacy might vary by treatment. It is now essential to translate such evidence into policies and clinical practice that benefit pregnant women in countries where malaria is endemic. Access to parasitological diagnosis or appropriate antimalarial treatment remains low in many countries and regions. Therefore, there is a pressing need for research to identify quality improvement interventions targeting pregnant women and health providers. In addition, efficient and practical systems for pharmacovigilance are needed to further expand knowledge on the safety of antimalarial drugs, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit, Banjul, The Gambia; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Jenny Hill
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher Pell
- Centre for Social Science and Global Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jayne Webster
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Julie Gutman
- Malaria Branch, US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Esperanca Sevene
- Manhiça Health Research Center (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique; Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
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Saito M, Gilder ME, Nosten F, Guérin PJ, McGready R. Methodology of assessment and reporting of safety in anti-malarial treatment efficacy studies of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in pregnancy: a systematic literature review. Malar J 2017; 16:491. [PMID: 29254487 PMCID: PMC5735519 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Considering the uncertainty of safety of anti-malarial drugs in pregnancy, efficacy studies are one of the few sources of clinical safety data. Complete safety evaluation is not usually incorporated in efficacy studies due to financial and human resource constraints. This review reports the methods used for the assessment of safety of artemisinin-based and quinine-based treatments in efficacy studies in pregnancy. Methods Methodology of assessment and reporting of safety in efficacy studies of artemisinin-based and quinine-based treatment in pregnancy was reviewed using seven databases and two clinical trial registries. The protocol was registered to PROSPERO (CRD42017054808). Results Of 48 eligible efficacy studies the method of estimation of gestational age was reported in only 32 studies (67%, 32/48) and ultrasound was used in 18 studies (38%, 18/48). Seventeen studies (35%, 17/48) reported parity, 9 (19%, 9/48) reported gravidity and 13 (27%, 13/48) reported both. Thirty-eight studies (79%, 38/48) followed participants through to pregnancy outcome. Fetal loss was assessed in 34 studies (89%, 34/38), but the definition of miscarriage and stillbirth were defined only in 11 (32%, 11/34) and 7 (21%, 7/34) studies, respectively. Preterm birth was assessed in 26 studies (68%, 26/38) but was defined in 16 studies (62%, 16/26). Newborn weight was assessed in 30 studies (79%, 30/38) and length in 10 studies (26%, 10/38). Assessment of birth weight took gestational age into account in four studies (13%, 4/30). Congenital abnormalities were reported in 32 studies (84%, 32/38). Other common risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes were not well-reported. Conclusion Incomplete reporting and varied methodological assessment of pregnancy outcomes in anti-malarial drug efficacy studies limits comparison across studies. A standard list of minimal necessary parameters to assess and report the safety component of efficacy studies of anti-malarials in pregnancy is proposed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2136-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saito
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK. .,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK. .,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand.
| | - Mary Ellen Gilder
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - François Nosten
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Philippe J Guérin
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Rose McGready
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
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11
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Saito M, Gilder ME, Nosten F, McGready R, Guérin PJ. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of artemisinin-based and quinine-based treatments for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in pregnancy: methodological challenges. Malar J 2017; 16:488. [PMID: 29237461 PMCID: PMC5729448 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is no agreed standard method to assess the efficacy of anti-malarials for uncomplicated falciparum in pregnancy despite an increased risk of adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. The aim of this review is to present the currently available evidence from both observational and interventional cohort studies on anti-malarial efficacy in pregnancy and summarize the variability of assessment and reporting found in the review process. Methods Efficacy methodology and assessment of artemisinin-based treatments (ABT) and quinine-based treatments (QBT) were reviewed systematically using seven databases and two clinical trial registries (protocol registration—PROSPERO: CRD42017054808). Pregnant women in all trimesters with parasitologically confirmed uncomplicated falciparum malaria were included irrespective of symptoms. This review attempted to re-calculate proportions of treatment success applying the same definition as the standard WHO methodology for non-pregnant populations. Aggregated data meta-analyses using data from randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing different treatments were performed by random effects model. Results A total of 48 eligible efficacy studies were identified including 7279 treated Plasmodium falciparum episodes. While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in 24 studies for differentiating recurrence, the assessment and reporting of treatment efficacy was heterogeneous. When the same definition could be applied, PCR-corrected treatment failure of ≥ 10% at any time points was observed in 3/30 ABT and 3/7 QBT arms. Ten RCTs compared different combinations of ABT but there was a maximum of two published RCTs with PCR-corrected outcomes for each comparison. Five RCTs compared ABT and QBT. Overall, the risk of treatment failure was significantly lower in ABT than in QBT (risk ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.63), although the actual drug combinations and outcome endpoints were different. First trimester women were included in 12 studies none of which were RCTs of ABT. Conclusions Efficacy studies in pregnancy are not only limited in number but use varied methodological assessments. In five RCTs with comparable methodology, ABT resulted in higher efficacy than QBT in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Individual patient data meta-analysis can include data from observational cohort studies and could overcome some of the limitations of the current assessment given the paucity of data in this vulnerable group. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2135-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saito
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK. .,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK. .,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand.
| | - Mary Ellen Gilder
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - François Nosten
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Rose McGready
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Philippe J Guérin
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
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Clark RL, Edwards TL, Longo M, Kinney J, Walker DK, Rhodes J, Clode SA, Rückle T, Wells T, Andenmatten N, Huber AC. Improved safety margin for embryotoxicity in rats for the new endoperoxide artefenomel (OZ439) as compared to artesunate. Birth Defects Res 2017; 110:553-578. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jon Rhodes
- Covance Laboratories Ltd, Reproduction Toxicology; Harrogate North Yorkshire United Kingdom
| | - Sally A. Clode
- Covance Laboratories Ltd, Reproduction Toxicology; Harrogate North Yorkshire United Kingdom
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13
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Clark RL. Animal Embryotoxicity Studies of Key Non-Artemisinin Antimalarials and Use in Women in the First Trimester. Birth Defects Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Dellicour S, Sevene E, McGready R, Tinto H, Mosha D, Manyando C, Rulisa S, Desai M, Ouma P, Oneko M, Vala A, Rupérez M, Macete E, Menéndez C, Nakanabo-Diallo S, Kazienga A, Valéa I, Calip G, Augusto O, Genton B, Njunju EM, Moore KA, d’Alessandro U, Nosten F, ter Kuile F, Stergachis A. First-trimester artemisinin derivatives and quinine treatments and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Africa and Asia: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS Med 2017; 14:e1002290. [PMID: 28463996 PMCID: PMC5412992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal embryotoxicity data, and the scarcity of safety data in human pregnancies, have prevented artemisinin derivatives from being recommended for malaria treatment in the first trimester except in lifesaving circumstances. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective observational studies comparing the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and major congenital anomaly (primary outcomes) among first-trimester pregnancies treated with artemisinin derivatives versus quinine or no antimalarial treatment. METHODS AND FINDINGS Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, and Malaria in Pregnancy Library were searched, and investigators contacted. Five studies involving 30,618 pregnancies were included; four from sub-Saharan Africa (n = 6,666 pregnancies, six sites) and one from Thailand (n = 23,952). Antimalarial exposures were ascertained by self-report or active detection and confirmed by prescriptions, clinic cards, and outpatient registers. Cox proportional hazards models, accounting for time under observation and gestational age at enrollment, were used to calculate hazard ratios. Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis was used to combine the African studies, and the results were then combined with those from Thailand using aggregated data meta-analysis with a random effects model. There was no difference in the risk of miscarriage associated with the use of artemisinins anytime during the first trimester (n = 37/671) compared with quinine (n = 96/945; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.73 [95% CI 0.44, 1.21], I2 = 0%, p = 0.228), in the risk of stillbirth (artemisinins, n = 10/654; quinine, n = 11/615; aHR = 0.29 [95% CI 0.08-1.02], p = 0.053), or in the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth combined (pregnancy loss) (aHR = 0.58 [95% CI 0.36-1.02], p = 0.099). The corresponding risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss in a sensitivity analysis restricted to artemisinin exposures during the embryo sensitive period (6-12 wk gestation) were as follows: aHR = 1.04 (95% CI 0.54-2.01), I2 = 0%, p = 0.910; aHR = 0.73 (95% CI 0.26-2.06), p = 0.551; and aHR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.52-2.04), p = 0.603. The prevalence of major congenital anomalies was similar for first-trimester artemisinin (1.5% [95% CI 0.6%-3.5%]) and quinine exposures (1.2% [95% CI 0.6%-2.4%]). Key limitations of the study include the inability to control for confounding by indication in the African studies, the paucity of data on potential confounders, the limited statistical power to detect differences in congenital anomalies, and the lack of assessment of cardiovascular defects in newborns. CONCLUSIONS Compared to quinine, artemisinin treatment in the first trimester was not associated with an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. While the data are limited, they indicate no difference in the prevalence of major congenital anomalies between treatment groups. The benefits of 3-d artemisinin combination therapy regimens to treat malaria in early pregnancy are likely to outweigh the adverse outcomes of partially treated malaria, which can occur with oral quinine because of the known poor adherence to 7-d regimens. REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42015032371.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Dellicour
- Malaria Epidemiology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (SD); (AS)
| | - Esperança Sevene
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Stephen Rulisa
- University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Meghna Desai
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Peter Ouma
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Martina Oneko
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Anifa Vala
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Maria Rupérez
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
- Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Clara Menéndez
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
- Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Seydou Nakanabo-Diallo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Adama Kazienga
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Innocent Valéa
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Gregory Calip
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Orvalho Augusto
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Blaise Genton
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric M. Njunju
- School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Kerryn A. Moore
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Umberto d’Alessandro
- Medical Research Council, Fajara, The Gambia
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Feiko ter Kuile
- Malaria Epidemiology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SD); (AS)
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15
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Kovacs SD, van Eijk AM, Sevene E, Dellicour S, Weiss NS, Emerson S, Steketee R, ter Kuile FO, Stergachis A. The Safety of Artemisinin Derivatives for the Treatment of Malaria in the 2nd or 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164963. [PMID: 27824884 PMCID: PMC5100961 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the high morbidity for mother and fetus associated with malaria in pregnancy, safe and efficacious drugs are needed for treatment. Artemisinin derivatives are the most effective antimalarials, but are associated with teratogenic and embryotoxic effects in animal models when used in early pregnancy. However, several organ systems are still under development later in pregnancy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women treated with artemisinins monotherapy or as artemisinin-based combination therapy during the 2nd or 3rd trimesters relative to pregnant women who received non-artemisinin antimalarials or none at all. Pooled odds ratio (POR) were calculated using Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model with a 0.5 continuity correction for zero events. Eligible studies were identified through Medline, Embase, and the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium Library. Twenty studies (11 cohort studies and 9 randomized controlled trials) contributed to the analysis, with 3,707 women receiving an artemisinin, 1,951 a non-artemisinin antimalarial, and 13,714 no antimalarial. The PORs (95% confidence interval (CI)) for stillbirth, fetal loss, and congenital anomalies when comparing artemisinin versus quinine were 0.49 (95% CI 0.24-0.97, I2 = 0%, 3 studies); 0.58 (95% CI 0.31-1.16, I2 = 0%, 6 studies); and 1.00 (95% CI 0.27-3.75, I2 = 0%, 3 studies), respectively. The PORs comparing artemisinin users to pregnant women who received no antimalarial were 1.13 (95% CI 0.77-1.66, I2 = 86.7%, 3 studies); 1.10 (95% CI 0.79-1.54, I2 = 0%, 4 studies); and 0.79 (95% CI 0.37-1.67, I2 = 0%, 3 studies) for miscarriage, stillbirth and congenital anomalies respectively. Treatment with artemisinin in 2nd and 3rd trimester was not associated with increased risks of congenital malformations or miscarriage and may be was associated with a reduced risk of stillbirths compared to quinine. This study updates the reviews conducted by the WHO in 2002 and 2006 and supports the current WHO malaria treatment guidelines malaria in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D. Kovacs
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | | | - Esperanca Sevene
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Noel S. Weiss
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Scott Emerson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | | | - Feiko O. ter Kuile
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Centre for Global Health, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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16
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Gomes C, Boareto AC, Dalsenter PR. Clinical and non-clinical safety of artemisinin derivatives in pregnancy. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 65:194-203. [PMID: 27506918 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy is a clinically wasting infectious disease, where drug therapy has to be promptly initiated. Currently, the treatment of this infection depends on the use of artemisinin derivatives. The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of these drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy due to non-clinical findings that have shown embryolethality and teratogenic effects. Nevertheless, until now, this toxicity has not been proved in humans. Artemisinin derivatives mechanisms of embryotoxicity are related to depletion of circulating embryonic primitive erythroblasts. Species differences in this sensitive period for toxicity and the presence of malaria infection, which could reduce drug distribution to the fetus, are significant to the risk assessment of artemisinin derivatives treatment to pregnant women. In this review we aimed to assess the results of non-clinical and clinical studies with artemisinin derivatives, their mechanisms of embryotoxicity and discuss the safety of their use during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Ana Cláudia Boareto
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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Moore KA, Simpson JA, Paw MK, Pimanpanarak M, Wiladphaingern J, Rijken MJ, Jittamala P, White NJ, Fowkes FJI, Nosten F, McGready R. Safety of artemisinins in first trimester of prospectively followed pregnancies: an observational study. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016; 16:576-583. [PMID: 26869377 PMCID: PMC4835584 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00547-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinins, the most effective antimalarials available, are not recommended for falciparum malaria during the first trimester of pregnancy because of safety concerns. Therefore, quinine is used despite its poor effectiveness. Assessing artemisinin safety requires weighing the risks of malaria and its treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of first-trimester malaria and artemisinin treatment on miscarriage and major congenital malformations. METHODS In this observational study, we assessed data from antenatal clinics on the Thai-Myanmar border between Jan 1, 1994, and Dec 31, 2013. We included women who presented to antenatal clinics during their first trimester with a viable fetus. Women were screened for malaria, and data on malaria, antimalarial treatment, and birth outcomes were collected. The relationship between artemisinin treatments (artesunate, dihydroartemisinin, or artemether) and miscarriage or malformation was assessed using Cox regression with left-truncation and time-varying exposures. FINDINGS Of 55 636 pregnancies registered between 1994 and 2013, 25 485 pregnancies were analysed for first-trimester malaria and miscarriage, in which 2558 (10%) had first-trimester malaria. The hazard of miscarriage increased 1·61-fold after an initial first-trimester falciparum episode (95% CI 1·32-1·97; p<0·0001), 3·24-fold following falciparum recurrence (2·24-4·68; p<0·0001), and 2·44-fold (1·01-5·88; p=0·0473) following recurrent symptomatic vivax malaria. No difference was noted in miscarriage in first-line falciparum treatments with artemisinin (n=183) versus quinine (n=842; HR 0·78 [95% CI 0·45-1·34]; p=0·3645) or in risk of major congenital malformations (two [2%] of 109 [95% CI 0·22-6·47] versus eight (1%) of 641 [0·54-2·44], respectively). INTERPRETATION First-trimester falciparum and vivax malaria both increase the risk of miscarriage. We noted no evidence of an increased risk of miscarriage or of major congenital malformations associated with first-line treatment with an artemisinin derivative compared with quinine. In view of the low efficacy of quinine and wide availability of highly effective artemisinin-based combination therapies, it is time to reconsider first-trimester antimalarial treatment recommendations. FUNDING The Wellcome Trust and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn A Moore
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Julie A Simpson
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Moo Kho Paw
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - MuPawJay Pimanpanarak
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Jacher Wiladphaingern
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Marcus J Rijken
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Podjanee Jittamala
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Freya J I Fowkes
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - François Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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18
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Tinto H, Sevene E, Dellicour S, Calip GS, d'Alessandro U, Macete E, Nakanabo-Diallo S, Kazienga A, Valea I, Sorgho H, Valá A, Augusto O, Ruperez M, Menendez C, Ouma P, Desai M, Ter Kuile F, Stergachis A. Assessment of the safety of antimalarial drug use during early pregnancy (ASAP): protocol for a multicenter prospective cohort study in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mozambique. Reprod Health 2015; 12:112. [PMID: 26637464 PMCID: PMC4670540 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-015-0101-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A major unresolved safety concern for malaria case management is the use of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) in the first trimester of pregnancy. There is a need for human data to inform policy makers and treatment guidelines on the safety of artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) when used during early pregnancy. Methods The overall goal of this paper is to describe the methods and implementation of a study aimed at developing surveillance systems for identifying exposures to antimalarials during early pregnancy and for monitoring pregnancy outcomes using health and demographic surveillance platforms. This was a multi-center prospective observational cohort study involving women at health and demographic surveillance sites in three countries in Africa: Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mozambique [(ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01232530)]. The study was designed to identify pregnant women with artemisinin exposure in the first trimester and compare them to: 1) pregnant women without malaria, 2) pregnant women treated for malaria, but exposed to other antimalarials, and 3) pregnant women with malaria and treated with artemisinins in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters from the same settings. Pregnant women were recruited through community-based surveys and attendance at health facilities, including antenatal care clinics and followed until delivery. Data from the three sites will be pooled for analysis at the end of the study. Results are forthcoming. Discussion Despite few limitations, the methods described here are relevant to the development of sustainable pharmacovigilance systems for drugs used by pregnant women in the tropics using health and demographic surveillance sites to prospectively ascertain drug safety in early pregnancy. Trial registration NCT01232530 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12978-015-0101-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halidou Tinto
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Esperança Sevene
- Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique. .,Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | | | - Gregory S Calip
- Departments of Pharmacy and Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington (UW), Seattle, USA.
| | | | - Eusébio Macete
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Seydou Nakanabo-Diallo
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Adama Kazienga
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Innocent Valea
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Hermann Sorgho
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Anifa Valá
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Orvalho Augusto
- Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique. .,Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Maria Ruperez
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique. .,Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Clara Menendez
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique. .,Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Peter Ouma
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Meghna Desai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Feiko Ter Kuile
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK.
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Dellicour S, Desai M, Aol G, Oneko M, Ouma P, Bigogo G, Burton DC, Breiman RF, Hamel MJ, Slutsker L, Feikin D, Kariuki S, Odhiambo F, Pandit J, Laserson KF, Calip G, Stergachis A, ter Kuile FO. Risks of miscarriage and inadvertent exposure to artemisinin derivatives in the first trimester of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study in western Kenya. Malar J 2015; 14:461. [PMID: 26581434 PMCID: PMC4652370 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0950-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The artemisinin anti-malarials are widely deployed as artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). However, they are not recommended for uncomplicated malaria during the first trimester because safety data from humans are scarce. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of women of child-bearing age carried out in 2011-2013, evaluating the relationship between inadvertent ACT exposure during first trimester and miscarriage. Community-based surveillance was used to identify 1134 early pregnancies. Cox proportional hazard models with left truncation were used. RESULTS The risk of miscarriage among pregnancies exposed to ACT (confirmed + unconfirmed) in the first trimester, or during the embryo-sensitive period (≥6 to <13 weeks gestation) was higher than among pregnancies unexposed to anti-malarials in the first trimester: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.70, 95 % CI (1.08-2.68) and HR = 1.61 (0.96-2.70). For confirmed ACT-exposures (primary analysis) the corresponding values were: HR = 1.24 (0.56-2.74) and HR = 0.73 (0.19-2.82) relative to unexposed women, and HR = 0.99 (0.12-8.33) and HR = 0.32 (0.03-3.61) relative to quinine exposure, but the numbers of quinine exposures were very small. CONCLUSION ACT exposure in early pregnancy was more common than quinine exposure. Confirmed inadvertent artemisinin exposure during the potential embryo-sensitive period was not associated with increased risk of miscarriage. Confirmatory studies are needed to rule out a smaller than three-fold increase in risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Dellicour
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Meghna Desai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - George Aol
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Martina Oneko
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Peter Ouma
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Godfrey Bigogo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Deron C Burton
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Mary J Hamel
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Daniel Feikin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Simon Kariuki
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Frank Odhiambo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | | | | | - Greg Calip
- Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA.
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Departments of Pharmacy and Global Health, Schools of Pharmacy and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | - Feiko O ter Kuile
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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Abstract
Severe malaria in pregnancy is a large contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Intravenous quinine has traditionally been the treatment drug of choice for severe malaria in pregnancy. However, recent randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that intravenous artesunate is more efficacious for treating severe malaria, resulting in changes to the World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines. Artemisinins, including artesunate, are embryo-lethal in animal studies and there is limited experience with their use in the first trimester. This review summarizes the current literature supporting 2010 WHO treatment guidelines for severe malaria in pregnancy and the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and adverse event data for currently used antimalarials available for severe malaria in pregnancy. We identified ten studies on the treatment of severe malaria in pregnancy that reported clinical outcomes. In two studies comparing intravenous quinine with intravenous artesunate, intravenous artesunate was more efficacious and safe for use in pregnant women. No studies detected an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies associated with first trimester exposure to artesunate. Although the WHO recommends using either quinine or artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria in first trimester pregnancies, our findings suggest that artesunate should be the preferred treatment option for severe malaria in all trimesters.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chemotherapy of malaria has become a rapidly changing field. Less than two decades ago, treatment regimens were increasingly bound to fail due to emerging drug resistance against 4-aminoquinolines and sulfa compounds. By now, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) constitute the standard of care for uncomplicated falciparum malaria and are increasingly also taken into consideration for the treatment of non-falciparum malaria. AREAS COVERED This narrative review provides an overview of the state-of-art antimalarial drug therapy, highlights the global portfolio of current Phase III/IV clinical trials and summarizes current developments. EXPERT OPINION Malaria chemotherapy remains a dynamic field, with novel drugs and drug combinations continuing to emerge in order to outpace the development of large-scale drug resistance against the currently most important drug class, the artemisinin derivatives. More randomized controlled studies are urgently needed especially for the treatment of malaria in first trimester pregnant women. ACTs should be used for the treatment of imported malaria more consequently. Gaining sufficient efficacy and safety information on ACT use for non-falciparum species including Plasmodium ovale and malariae should be a research priority. Continuous investment into malaria drug development is a vital factor to combat artemisinin resistance and successfully improve malaria control toward the ultimate goal of elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Visser
- University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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Tagbor H, Antwi G, Dogbe J. Safety of antimalarial drugs exposure during early pregnancy. Res Rep Trop Med 2014; 5:23-33. [PMID: 32669889 PMCID: PMC7337211 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s34683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inadequately controlled malaria infection in pregnancy is associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. However, there are important questions about drug safety for mothers with malaria and their fetuses as, currently, there is limited safety data on many of the medications used. The objective of this review is to determine from published evidence the safety of antimalarial drugs exposure during early pregnancy, focusing on abortions, stillbirths, and congenital abnormalities. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Malaria in Pregnancy databases from their inception to June 2013, inclusive, for reports published in English only. Data were extracted on exposure to antimalarial drugs during early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes including congenital abnormalities, stillbirth, and miscarriage. Results Twenty-two publications including one abstract with a total of 6,333 early pregnancy exposures to antimalarial agents used for treatment and/or prevention of malaria in pregnancy met the inclusion criteria. More than 40% of the pregnancies were exposed to mefloquine, about 10% to artemisinin based regimens and, 15.2% and 14.7% were exposed to chloroquine and quinine, respectively. A total of 1,199 adverse outcomes including abortions, stillbirths, and congenital abnormalities were reported. The reported absolute risks of adverse outcomes were similar for all the antimalarial exposures, but, in two publications, increased risk of stillbirths was linked to mefloquine exposure. Extensive heterogeneity and variability in the way in which authors assessed, recorded, and reported safety data precluded formal meta-analysis. Conclusion The absolute estimates of risks obtained in the included studies are difficult to interpret and the clinical significance of any association of adverse outcomes reported with antimalarial exposure in early pregnancy is uncertain. Well planned, executed, and analyzed studies are needed to confirm whether there is increased risk for adverse fetal outcomes attributable to exposure of first trimester pregnancies to antimalarials compared to relevant controls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joslin Dogbe
- Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Mutabingwa TK, Adam I. Use of artemether-lumefantrine to treat malaria during pregnancy: what do we know and need to know? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2013; 11:125-35. [PMID: 23409819 DOI: 10.1586/eri.12.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Artemether-lumefantrine is a fixed-dose combination containing 20 mg artemether/120 mg lumefantrine per tablet, used for treating uncomplicated malaria in patients weighing ≥5 kg. It is the first artemisinin-based combination registered in some European countries and in the USA. It is marketed in Europe as Riamet(®) (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) and in malaria-endemic countries as Coartem(®) (Novartis). Safety concerns prevent early pregnancy usage, while limited postmarketing surveillance has delayed safety assessment and policy development. Large clinical studies, postmarketing surveillance and pharmacovigillance ongoing in some countries may soon bridge safety issues. Fatty diet requirements for optimal absorption, pregnancy-induced changes in pharmacokinetics, pregnancy-related anorexia and food taboos, and emerging reduced parasite sensitivity to artemisinin, challenges optimal artemether-lumefantrine dosing and efficacy during pregnancy. This evaluation addresses drug usage, safety concerns following early exposure, implications for changed pharmacokinetics and reduced parasite susceptibility. Clinical-use updates and strategies to address some knowledge gaps including key operational research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theonest K Mutabingwa
- Faculty of Medicine, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, 322 Regent Estate, PO Box 65300, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
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