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Ngasala BE, Chiduo MG, Mmbando BP, Francis FT, Bushukatale S, Makene T, Mandara CI, Ishengoma DS, Kamugisha E, Ahmed M, Mahende MK, Kavishe RA, Muro F, Molteni F, Reaves E, Kitojo C, Greer G, Nyinondi S, Kabula B, Lalji S, Chacky F, Njau RJ, Warsame M, Mohamed A. Efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania, 2019. Malar J 2024; 23:101. [PMID: 38594679 PMCID: PMC11005286 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04931-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been a major contributor to the substantial reductions in global malaria morbidity and mortality over the last decade. In Tanzania, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) was introduced as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 2006. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular assessment and monitoring of the efficacy of the first-line treatment, specifically considering that artemisinin resistance has been confirmed in the Greater Mekong sub-region. This study's main aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of AL for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Tanzania. METHODS This was a single-arm prospective antimalarial drug efficacy trial conducted in four of the eight National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) sentinel sites in 2019. The trial was carried out in outpatient health facilities in Karume-Mwanza region, Ipinda-Mbeya region, Simbo-Tabora region, and Nagaga-Mtwara region. Children aged six months to 10 years with microscopy confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria who met the inclusion criteria were recruited based on the WHO protocol. The children received AL (a 6-dose regimen of AL twice daily for three days). Clinical and parasitological parameters were monitored during follow-up over 28 days to evaluate drug efficacy. RESULTS A total of 628 children were screened for uncomplicated malaria, and 349 (55.6%) were enrolled between May and September 2019. Of the enrolled children, 343 (98.3%) completed the 28-day follow-up or attained the treatment outcomes. There were no early treatment failures; recurrent infections during follow-up were common at two sites (Karume 29.5%; Simbo 18.2%). PCR-corrected adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) by survival analysis to AL on day 28 of follow-up varied from 97.7% at Karume to 100% at Ipinda and Nagaga sites. The commonly reported adverse events were cough, skin pallor, and abdominal pain. The drug was well tolerated, and no serious adverse event was reported. CONCLUSION This study showed that AL had adequate efficacy and safety for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Tanzania in 2019. The high recurrent infections were mainly due to new infections, highlighting the potential role of introducing alternative artemisinin-based combinations that offer improved post-treatment prophylaxis, such as artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy E Ngasala
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Mercy G Chiduo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Bruno P Mmbando
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Filbert T Francis
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Samwel Bushukatale
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Twilumba Makene
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Maimuna Ahmed
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Reginald A Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Florida Muro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Erik Reaves
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chonge Kitojo
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - George Greer
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Program, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ritha J Njau
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Program, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Ngasala B, Chiduo MG, Bushukatale S, Mmbando BP, Makene T, Kamugisha E, Ahmed M, Mandara CI, Francis F, Mahende MK, Kavishe RA, Muro F, Ishengoma DS, Mandike R, Molteni F, Chacky F, Kitojo C, Greer G, Bishanga D, Chadewa J, Njau R, Warsame M, Kabula B, Nyinondi SS, Reaves E, Mohamed A. Efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania, 2018. Malar J 2024; 23:95. [PMID: 38582830 PMCID: PMC10998292 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the most widely adopted first-line ACT for uncomplicated malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including mainland Tanzania, where it was introduced in December 2006. The WHO recommends regular assessment to monitor the efficacy of the first-line treatment specifically considering that artemisinin partial resistance was reported in Greater Mekong sub-region and has been confirmed in East Africa (Rwanda and Uganda). The main aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of AL for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania. METHODS A single-arm prospective anti-malarial drug efficacy trial was conducted in Kibaha, Mlimba, Mkuzi, and Ujiji (in Pwani, Morogoro, Tanga, and Kigoma regions, respectively) in 2018. The sample size of 88 patients per site was determined based on WHO 2009 standard protocol. Participants were febrile patients (documented axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C and/or history of fever during the past 24 h) aged 6 months to 10 years. Patients received a 6-dose AL regimen by weight twice a day for 3 days. Clinical and parasitological parameters were monitored during 28 days of follow-up to evaluate the drug efficacy and safety. RESULTS A total of 653 children were screened for uncomplicated malaria and 349 (53.7%) were enrolled between April and August 2018. Of the enrolled children, 345 (98.9%) completed the 28 days of follow-up or attained the treatment outcomes. There were no early treatment failures, but recurrent infections were higher in Mkuzi (35.2%) and Ujiji (23%). By Kaplan-Meier analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) uncorrected adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) ranged from 63.4% in Mkuzi to 85.9% in Mlimba, while PCR-corrected ACPR on day 28 varied from 97.6% in Ujiji to 100% in Mlimba. The drug was well tolerated; the commonly reported adverse events were cough, runny nose, and abdominal pain. No serious adverse event was reported. CONCLUSION This study showed that AL had adequate efficacy and safety for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The high number of recurrent infections were mainly due to new infections, indicating the necessity of utilizing alternative artemisinin-based combinations, such as artesunate amodiaquine, which provide a significantly longer post-treatment prophylactic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy Ngasala
- Department of Parasitology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Mercy G Chiduo
- Tanga Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Samwel Bushukatale
- Department of Parasitology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno P Mmbando
- Tanga Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Twilumba Makene
- Department of Parasitology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Bugando Medical Centre, P. O Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Maimuna Ahmed
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Bugando Medical Centre, P. O Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- Tanga Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Filbert Francis
- Tanga Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Muhidin K Mahende
- Ifakara Health Institute Dar es Salaam Office, P. O. Box 78373, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Florida Muro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Renata Mandike
- National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), P.O. Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Fabrizio Molteni
- National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), P.O. Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), P.O. Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Chonge Kitojo
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - George Greer
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Dunstan Bishanga
- Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jasmine Chadewa
- Jhpiego, Boresha Afya, P.O. Box 9170, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ritha Njau
- World Health Organization Country Office, P.O Box 9292, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Erik Reaves
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), P.O. Box 743, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Obonyo CO, Were VO, Wamae P, Muok EMO. SCHISTOACT: a protocol for an open-label, five-arm, non-inferiority, individually randomized controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of praziquantel plus artemisinin-based combinations in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Trials 2023; 24:763. [PMID: 38012787 PMCID: PMC10683197 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07790-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis control relies on praziquantel for preventive chemotherapy. Alternative drugs are needed for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis. Praziquantel is effective against adult schistosome worms but ineffective against larval stages of the parasite and cannot prevent re-infection or interrupt the transmission of infection. Continued reliance on praziquantel for wide-scale schistosomiasis control will likely accelerate the emergence of drug resistance. Artemisinin derivatives are effective against the juvenile stages but ineffective against adult worms. The SCHISTOACT study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of praziquantel plus one of four artemisinin-based combinations in treating Schistosoma mansoni infection in Kenya. METHODS The SCHISTOACT study is an open-label, head-to-head, five-arm, proof-of-concept, non-inferiority, individually randomized controlled trial with a follow-up of 12 weeks. A total of 540 primary school-aged children from the Mwea area, Kirinyaga County in central Kenya, diagnosed with S. mansoni infection (by Kato-Katz method) are randomly allocated (1:1:1:1:1) to a single dose of praziquantel plus a 3-day course of artesunate-sulfalene/pyrimethamine, or artesunate-amodiaquine, or artesunate plus mefloquine, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, or praziquantel control arm. The primary endpoints are efficacy (cure rate, assessed by microscopy) and safety (adverse events) of each study arm 6 weeks after treatment. Secondary endpoints include cumulative cure rate, egg reduction rate, and re-infection 12 weeks after treatment. The non-inferiority margin is set at - 10 for the risk difference in cure rates between praziquantel and the combined treatment. DISCUSSION This study assesses a strategy for repurposing artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for treating schistosomiasis. It adopts a head-to-head comparison of four different ACTs to test a non-inferiority hypothesis and to strengthen local capacity to conduct clinical trials for interventions against neglected tropical diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR202001919442161 . Retrospectively registered on 6 January 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles O Obonyo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Vincent O Were
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Peter Wamae
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Erick M O Muok
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
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Tan-Lim CSC, Gonzales MLAM, Dans LF, Cordero CP, Alejandria MM, Dela Paz ECC, Dator MA, Infantado-Alejandro MAJ, Sulit MVV, Lansang MAD. Reinfection rates, change in antibody titers and adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination among patients previously infected with COVID-19 in Metro Manila, Philippines: a secondary analysis of a completed cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:750. [PMID: 37915006 PMCID: PMC10621145 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08743-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variation in immune response to COVID-19 vaccines is observed among different ethnicities. We aimed to describe the reinfection rates, change in antibody titers, and adverse events among Filipinos. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of a cohort study of 307 participants within one year of having COVID-19 infection. We measured COVID-19 antibody levels at pre-determined timepoints (Days 21, 90, 180, 270, and 360 from initial infection). We monitored for COVID-19 symptoms and obtained details on COVID-19 vaccination. An adjudication committee classified the participants as probable, possible, or unlikely COVID-19 reinfection. We determined the probable reinfection rate, adverse events, and the geometric mean titer (GMT) ratio of pre- and post-vaccination antibody levels according to type and brand of COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS At the end of the follow-up period, 287 (93.5%) out of 307 study participants were fully vaccinated, 1 was partially vaccinated (0.3%), and 19 were unvaccinated (6.2%). Among the fully vaccinated participants, those given mRNA vaccines had the lowest reinfection rate (19.2 cases/100 person-years, 95% CI 9.6, 38.4), followed by viral vector vaccines (29.8 cases/100 person-years, 95% CI 16.9, 52.4). We observed the highest reinfection rate among those given inactivated virus vaccines (32.7 cases/100 person-years, 95% CI 23.6, 45.3). The reinfection rate was 8.6 cases/100 person-years (95% CI 4.1, 17.9) for unvaccinated participants and 3.6 cases/100 person-years (95% CI 0.5, 25.3) for partially vaccinated participants. We observed the largest rise in antibody titers among those given mRNA vaccines (GMT ratio 288.5), and the smallest rise among those given inactivated virus vaccines (GMT ratio 16.7). We observed the highest percentage of adverse events following immunization with viral vector vaccines (63.8%), followed by mRNA vaccines (62.7%), and the lowest for inactivated virus vaccines (34.7%). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION Vaccinees given the mRNA vaccines had the lowest reinfection rate and the highest rise in antibody titers. Vaccinees given inactivated virus vaccines had the highest reinfection rate, smallest rise in antibody titers, and lowest percentage of adverse events. The small sample size and imbalanced distribution of the type of vaccines received limits the external generalizability of our results. STUDY REGISTRATION The cohort study was registered at the Philippine Health Research Registry on December 14, 2020 (PHRR201214-003199).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Stephanie C Tan-Lim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.
| | - Ma Liza Antoinette M Gonzales
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Leonila F Dans
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Cynthia P Cordero
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Marissa M Alejandria
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Eva C Cutiongco Dela Paz
- Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Melissa A Dator
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Myzelle Anne J Infantado-Alejandro
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Maria Vanessa V Sulit
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
| | - Mary Ann D Lansang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
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