Publications by authors named "Moses Were"
Article Synopsis
- Blood smear microscopy is the standard way to diagnose malaria and assess parasite density, while molecular techniques help distinguish between new and recurring infections.
- A study comparing capillary and venous blood samples from patients revealed no significant difference in parasite density, but venous samples showed greater strain diversity.
- The findings suggest that while both blood types can be used for parasite density measurements, venous samples may offer more comprehensive genetic information about the infection's diversity.
Background: Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQ) is highly efficacious as intermittent preventive therapy for malaria during pregnancy (IPTp). Determining associations between piperaquine (PQ) exposure, malaria risk, and adverse birth outcomes informs optimal dosing strategies.
Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected pregnant women (n = 300) were enrolled in a placebo-controlled trial of IPTp at 12-20 weeks' gestation and randomized to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine every 8 weeks, DHA-PQ every 8 weeks, or DHA-PQ every 4 weeks during pregnancy.
Article Synopsis
- Artemisinins, essential for clearing malaria parasites, show different treatment outcomes influenced by factors like HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy, which have not been thoroughly studied in children.
- A study in Uganda compared parasite clearance times and drug levels (AUC) after initial and final doses of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) in HIV-infected and uninfected children, revealing that HIV-infected children had slower parasite clearance.
- Results indicated that while parasite clearance rates remain relatively fast, HIV status significantly affects the pharmacokinetics of artemisinin, which could impact the effectiveness of AL amid rising concerns of artemisinin resistance.
Background: The optimal treatment of malaria in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children requires consideration of critical drug-drug interactions in coinfected children, as these may significantly impact drug exposure and clinical outcomes.
Methods: We conducted an intensive and sparse pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study in Uganda of the most widely adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy, artemether-lumefantrine. HIV-infected children on 3 different first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens were compared to HIV-uninfected children not on ART, all of whom required treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria.