Hepatotoxicity from antituberculous therapy in the elderly: a systematic review.

Background: Elderly persons have the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States compared to all other age groups. A systematic literature review was conducted to determine if older age was a risk factor for hepatotoxicity resulting from treatment with first-line drugs used to treat active (TB) and latent tuberculosis (LTBI).

Methods: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry, CINAHL(®), and Science Citation Index Expanded (from 1970 to 2011) was performed to determine the risk of hepatotoxicity, comparing those over 60 with those under 60.

Malaria treatment policies and drug efficacy in Haiti from 1955-2012.

Objectives: Chloroquine (CQ), after 67 years of use in Haiti, is still part of the official treatment policy for malaria. Several countries around the world have used CQ in the past due to its low incidence of adverse events, therapeutic efficacy, and affordability, but were forced to switch treatment policy due to the development of widespread CQ resistance. The purpose of this paper was to compile literature on malaria treatment policies and antimalarial drug efficacy in Haiti over 67-year period.