Chemoprophylaxis compliance in travelers with malaria

Much effort and resources have been focused on improving or evolving antimalarial prophylactic regimens in order to reduce the increasing problems of malaria infection in nonimmune travelers to malaria endemic regions. Falciparum malaria in travelers returned from Africa has been attributed to reduced efficacy of chloroquine against chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (CRPF). Reported prophylaxis use by tourists from East Africa suggests only 52% admit taking their chemoprophylaxis without any missed doses. The effect of noncompliance with chloroquine (CQ) or proguanil (PG) in East Africa has been estimated as equivalent to taking no prophylaxis at all. The influence of poor compliance and/or parasite resistance on the changing pattern of malaria among travelers needs to be understood if methods of reducing morbidity are to be identified. In a number of studies, prophylaxis compliance in travelers has been collected by self-administered questionnaires from which prophylaxis efficacy of drug regimens has been calculated. The interpretation of drug efficacy has hinged on drug compliance and is controversial. We have addressed the role of chemoprophylaxis compliance in travelers with malaria using a prospective study of 368 malaria patients attending the Hospital for Tropical Diseases by examining their travel history and reported prophylaxis compliance compared to their actual plasma drug levels. This has enabled us to characterize the role of CRPF and poor compliance in the etiology of breakthrough malaria in travelers.

Lansoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole for seven days in Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

This study determines the efficacy and safety of a 1-week triple therapy regimen of lansoprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole in an area with a high prevalence of pre-treatment metronidazole-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori.

METHODS

Seventy-five H. pylori positive patients with gastritis or duodenal ulcer were entered into an open study of lansoprazole 30 mg o.m., clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. and metronidazole 400 mg b.d. H. pylori status was determined by CLOtest, histology, culture and by 13C-urea breath test (repeated > or = 28 days after treatment).

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients completed the treatment and returned for follow-up. H. pylori was eradicated in 61 of 71 (86%) patients by per-protocol analysis, and in 61 of 75 (81%) patients by intention-to-treat analysis. H. pylori was eradicated in 12 of 16 (75%) patients with metronidazole-resistant strains compared with 22 of 24 (92%) in patients with metronidazole-sensitive strains of H. pylori (P = 0.14). Fourty-five patients reported at least one adverse event, and three patients stopped treatment due to them (two with headaches and one with diarrhoea).

CONCLUSIONS

A 1-week course of lansoprazole 30 mg o.m., clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. and metronidazole 400 mg b.d. eradicates H. pylori in up to 86% of patients. It is of proven benefit in patients with pre-treatment metronidazole-resistant strains of H. pylori.

The Changing Pattern of Imported Malaria in British Visitors to Kenya 1987–1990

Following a sudden increase of imported malaria from Kenya in December 1989-January 1990, an investigation was set up to identify risk factors for travellers' malaria. A questionnaire asking for details of travel patterns and compliance with prophylaxis was sent to cases reported over the 6-month Kenyan winter period. Quarterly malaria attack rates between January 1987 and June 1991 were calculated and linked to meteorological conditions in Mombasa. The number of travellers to Kenya has doubled in the 4 years studied and the quarterly rates varied 4-fold over this period. There was no clear seasonal pattern of malaria in travellers, nor was there any clear relation of malaria to coastal rainfall. Compliance with chemoprophylaxis was poor, with only 16% of cases using currently advised regimens. While the annual malaria attack rate per 10 000 travellers decreased by 37% over the study period, the total numbers of malaria cases imported from Kenya rose by 61%, reflecting the increase in the numbers of travellers to the region. As the popularity of East Africa as a tourist destination continues to increase, Kenya will remain an important and significant source of malaria imported into the UK.