Prophylactic ceftizoxime for elective cesarean delivery at Soba Hospital, Sudan.

Background: A prophylactic antibiotic is recommended to reduce infection-related complication following cesarean delivery. There is a current debate on the time of prophylactic antibiotic in cesarean delivery.

Methods: An opened randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted at Soba hospital, Sudan to investigate the timing (pre-incision or after clamping of the umbilical cord) of ceftizoxime for elective cesarean delivery.

Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine as a treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in eastern Sudan.

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in most areas of the world, where malaria is endemic, including Sudan. However, few published data are available on the use of ACT for treatment of P. vivax malaria.

Red blood cell distribution width and iron deficiency anemia among pregnant Sudanese women.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major health problem during pregnancy and it has adverse effects on the mother and the newborn. Red cell distribution width (RDW), which is a quantitative measure for red cell size variation (anisocytosis), is a predictor of IDA. Little is known regarding RDW and IDA during pregnancy.

A population pharmacokinetic model of piperaquine in pregnant and non-pregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudan.

Background: Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of developing a malaria infection and a higher risk of developing severe malaria. The pharmacokinetic properties of many anti-malarials are also altered during pregnancy, often resulting in a decreased drug exposure. Piperaquine is a promising anti-malarial partner drug used in a fixed-dose combination with dihydroartemisinin.

Zinc, copper and C-reactive protein in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Background: Few data exist on the role of trace element in the pathogenesis of severe malaria.

Objectives: The study was conducted at Kassala Hospital, eastern Sudan, to investigate the role of zinc, copper and C-reactive protein levels in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Methods: Zinc, copper and C-reactive protein levels were measured in sera of three groups of children (35 in each arm): those with severe malaria, those with uncomplicated P.

Decreased susceptibility to placental malaria in anaemic women in an area with unstable malaria transmission in central Sudan.

The interaction between iron level, iron supplementation, and susceptibility to infection, including malaria, remains a concern. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Medani hospital in central Sudan to investigate the relationship between anaemia and placental malaria. Obstetrical history was obtained; haemoglobin levels were determined.

Thrombocytopenia in pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Background: Blood platelet levels are being evaluated as predictive and prognostic indicators of the severity of malaria infections in humans. However, there are few studies on platelets and Plasmodium falciparum malaria during pregnancy.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Gadarif Hospital in Eastern Sudan, an area characterized by unstable malaria transmission.

Severe Plasmodium vivax malaria among sudanese children at New Halfa Hospital, Eastern Sudan.

Background: There are few published reports on severe Plasmodium vivax malaria in Africa.

Methods: Clinical pattern/manifestations of severe P. vivax were described in children admitted at New Halfa Hospital in Sudan between September 2009-December 2011.

Acute-phase proteins in pregnant Sudanese women with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

A case-control study was carried out in Kassala and Medani Maternity Hospitals in Sudan to investigate acute-phase proteins [haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and albumin] in three groups of pregnant women (32 in each arm) comprising those with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria or uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria and healthy controls. Whilst there was no significant difference in the levels of albumin and haptoglobin, ferritin and CRP levels were significantly higher in pregnant women with severe P.

Pharmacokinetics of piperaquine in pregnant women in Sudan with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The pharmacokinetic properties of piperaquine were investigated in 12 pregnant and 12 well-matched, non-pregnant women receiving a three-day oral fixed dose combination regimen of dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum at New Halfa Hospital in eastern Sudan. Frequent venous plasma samples were drawn from the patients over a 63-day period and a complete concentration-time profile was collected for 7 pregnant and 11 non-pregnant patients. Piperaquine was quantified using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method.

Schistosoma haematobium infections among schoolchildren in central Sudan one year after treatment with praziquantel.

Background: Chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) is the mainstay of schistosomiasis control. However, there are recent concerns about tolerance or resistance to PZQ, so that monitoring its efficacy in different settings is required.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate the impact of PZQ for the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren at Al Salamania, Central Sudan.

Anaemia among adults in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.

Background: The increased heterogeneity in the distribution of social and biological risk factors makes the epidemiology of anaemia a real challenge. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kassala, Eastern Sudan during the period of January-March 2011 to investigate the prevalence and predictors of anaemia among adults (> 15 years old).

Findings: Out of 646, 234 (36.

Comparison of HemoCue® hemoglobin-meter and automated hematology analyzer in measurement of hemoglobin levels in pregnant women at Khartoum hospital, Sudan.

Background: Assessment of hemoglobin is one of the most reliable indicators for anemia, and is widely used to screen for anemia among pregnant women. The HemoCue® has been widely used for as a point-of-care device for hemoglobin estimation in health facilities. Previous studies showed contradictory results regarding the accuracy of HemoCue®.

Provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling among tuberculosis patients in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.

Because of the overlapping global incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, collaborative efforts are required for successful TB and HIV control programs. The current study was conducted at Kassala Hospital in Eastern Sudan and investigated the implementation of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) for patients infected with TB. Using a cross-sectional study design, patients who had been recently diagnosed with TB between January and December 2010 were consecutively enrolled.

Epidemiology of dengue infections in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.

Eighty-one (71.7%) out of 113 patients had confirmed dengue infection (using ELISA IgM serology) at Kassala, Eastern Sudan during the period of August through November 2010. According to the WHO criteria, dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) were observed in 30.

Polymerase chain reaction and histology in diagnosis of placental malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan.

Background: Prevalence of placental malaria has been widely used as a standard indicator to characterize malaria infection in epidemiologic surveys. Placental malaria poses a greater diagnostic challenge, accurate and sensitive diagnostic tool for malaria infections in pregnancy is needed.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Medani Hospital, which serves catchment area which is characterized by unstable malaria transmission.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections among hemodialysis patients in Khartoum, Sudan.

The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is important for health planners and service providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for markers of HBV (HBsAg) and anti-HCV among hemodialysis patients at the Ahmed Gasim hemodialysis unit, Sudan. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic data and sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV).

Schistosoma mansoni infection among prenatal attendees at a secondary-care hospital in central Sudan.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection among pregnant women in a secondary-care hospital in Geizera state, Sudan.

Method: Between August and September 2010, a cross-sectional study was conducted and questionnaires were administered to obtain basic sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women attending prenatal care at Araba Waeshreen Hospital. Stool samples were investigated for helminth infection via formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques.

Morbidity and mortality of severe malnutrition among Sudanese children in New Halfa Hospital, Eastern Sudan.

Medical files of children with severe malnutrition admitted at New Halfa hospital, Sudan during 2007-2009 were reviewed. A total of 1097 children (54.9%, 602 male) with severe malnutrition were admitted during the three year period.

Fluorescence microscope (Cyscope) for malaria diagnosis in pregnant women in Medani Hospital, Sudan.

Background: Accuracy of diagnosis is the core for malaria control. Although microscopy is the gold standard in malaria diagnosis, its reliability is largely dependent on user skill. We compared performance of Cyscope fluorescence microscope with the Giemsa stained light microscopy for the diagnosis of malaria among pregnant women at Medani Hospital in Central Sudan.

Monocytes and macrophages and placental malaria infections in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Background: Maternal immunity is thought to play a major role in the increased susceptibility of pregnant women to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Few studies exist on immunohistochemical characterization of the placental inflammatory infiltrate. The current study was conducted in Gadarif hospital in an area characterized by unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.

Malaria and pre-eclampsia in an area with unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan.

Background: Placental malaria and pre-eclampsia occur frequently in women in tropics and are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidities and mortality. Few data exist concerning the interaction between placental malaria and pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A case control study was conducted in Medani Hospital, which locates in an area of unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan.

Increased pfmdr1 copy number and sequence polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Sudanese malaria patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine.

Molecular markers for surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to current antimalarials are sorely needed. A 28-day efficacy study of artemether-lumefantrine in eastern Sudan identified 5 treatment failures among 100 evaluable patients; 9 further individuals were parasite positive by PCR during follow-up. Polymorphisms in pfatpase6 and pfmdr1 were evaluated by DNA sequencing.

Severe anaemia is associated with a higher risk for preeclampsia and poor perinatal outcomes in Kassala hospital, eastern Sudan.

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is major health problem. There is conflicting literature regarding the association between anaemia and its severity and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study conducted at Kassala hospital, eastern Sudan.