The long-term impact of the Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program on leprosy incidence: A modelling study.

Background: The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence.

Methodology: The individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas.

Leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin (LPEP): an international feasibility programme.

Background: Innovative approaches are required for leprosy control to reduce cases and curb transmission of Mycobacterium leprae. Early case detection, contact screening, and chemoprophylaxis are the most promising tools. We aimed to generate evidence on the feasibility of integrating contact tracing and administration of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) into routine leprosy control activities.

The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) programme: update and interim analysis.

Innovative approaches are required to further enhance leprosy control, reduce the number of people developing leprosy, and curb transmission. Early case detection, contact screening, and chemoprophylaxis currently is the most promising approach to achieve this goal. The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) programme generates evidence on the feasibility of integrating contact tracing and single-dose rifampicin (SDR) administration into routine leprosy control activities in different settings.

Impact of Enhanced Health Interventions for United States-Bound Refugees: Evaluating Best Practices in Migration Health.

With an unprecedented number of displaced persons worldwide, strategies for improving the health of migrating populations are critical. United States-bound refugees undergo a required overseas medical examination to identify inadmissible conditions (e.g.

Genetic red cell disorders and severity of falciparum malaria in Myanmar.

A hospital-based survey was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the incidence and severity of malaria infection and various red cell disorders in Myanmar. The mean parasitaemia levels of patients with alpha- or beta-thalassaemia trait or with severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency were lower than those of individuals with normal haemoglobin AA or with heterozygous haemoglobin E. The double genetic defect of thalassaemia trait and severe G6PD deficiency appeared to confer some degree of protection against malaria.

The effect of mefloquine-artemether compared with quinine on patients with complicated falciparum malaria.

30 pairs of patients with complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria (with anaemia, hyperpyrexia, jaundice or more than 5% of erythrocytes parasitized) were studied. Patients with cerebral signs and symptoms were excluded. One group of patients was treated with oral mefloquine (750 mg) and artemether (600 mg by injection, 200 mg initially and 100 mg every 12 h).

A case of black water fever treated with peritoneal dialysis and artemether (quinghaosu derivative).

A clinical case of Black Water Fever following Plasmodium falciparum infection is reported. The patient had no previous history of malaria and had not taken anti-malarials as prophylasis. He was free from G-6-PD deficiency and abnormal haemoglobins.

Controlled trial of initial slow intravenous quinine vs conventional quinine infusion in the treatment of highly parasitized falciparum malaria in adult patients.

A total of 10 patients (adults) with highly parasitized falciparum malaria were treated initially with intravenous quinine (10 mg per kg quinine diluted in 20 ml normal saline injected very slowly with a syringe taking not less than 20 minutes). Six control patients were treated with quinine infusion standard method (quinine 10 mg/kg diluted in 500 ml of normal saline given as slow drip taking 4 hours for the drug to enter the patient's body). Both two groups of patients were followed by oral quinine 10 mg/kg three times a day for 7 days.

A controlled clinical trial of artemether (qinghaosu derivative) versus quinine in complicated and severe falciparum malaria.

31 pairs of patients with complicated falciparum malaria (with anaemia, jaundice, raised blood urea, hyperpyrexia or more than 2% of erythrocytes parasitized) were treated with artemether or quinine. All patients in the artemether group survived but 2 of those treated with quinine died. Fever clearance time and parasite clearance time of patients treated with artemether were significantly shorter than in the quinine-treated group.

The efficacy of artemether (qinghaosu) in Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax in Burma.

Seven sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistant Plasmodium falciparum infected patients and 2 patients with mixed (P. falciparum and P. vivax) infection were given Artemether.