Chemotherapy

Researchers at Charite University release new data on chemotherapy

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"In an area of intense, perennial malaria transmission in northern Ghana, 1,200 children received IPTi with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine or placebo at approximately 3, 9, and 15 months of age. Children were followed up until 24 months of age to assess morbidity and adverse events. During the intervention period (3 to 18 months of age), IPTi reduced the incidences of malaria and severe anemia by 22.5% (95% confidence interval, 12 to 32%) and 23.6% (95% confidence interval, 4 to 39%), respectively, and reduced hospitalizations and episodes of asymptomatic parasitemia by one-third. Protection was pronounced in the first year of life and not discernible in the second. The malaria-protective effect was largely confined to a period of I month after sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatments. Following the intervention, protection against asymptomatic parasitemia persisted. In contrast, a significant rebound of severe malaria, predominantly severe malarial anemia, occurred among children having received IPTi Although the treatment was generally well tolerated, one case of moderately severe skin reaction followed sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment. IPTi reduces malaria and anemia in infants in northern Ghana. Extension of IPTi into the second year of life by administering a dose at 15 months of age provided no substantial benefit beyond a 1-month prophylactic effect," wrote F.P. Mockenhaupt and colleagues, Charite University.

The researchers concluded: "Although this simple intervention offers one of the few available malaria-preventive measures for regions where malaria is endemic, the observed rebound of severe malaria advises caution and requires further investigation."

Mockenhaupt and colleagues published their study in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (Intermittent preventive treatment in infants as a means of malaria control: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in northern Ghana. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2007;51(9):3273-3281).

For additional information, contact F.P. Mockenhaupt, Charite University, Institute Trop Med & International Health, Spandauer Damm 130, D-14050 Berlin, Germany.

The publisher of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy can be contacted at: American Society Microbiology, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA.

Keywords: Germany, Berlin, Life Sciences, Pediatrics, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Charite University.

This article was prepared by Hospital Law Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hospital Law Week via NewsRx.com.