Prophylactic trial shows huge decline in malaria infections

Brussels, Feb 2006

Researchers from 바카라사이트 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have achieved an astounding 86 per cent reduction in malarial infections in children under five during a study carried out in Senegal.

Results published in The Lancet follow 바카라사이트 randomised, placebo-controlled trial which took 1,136 children aged between two months and five years. Candidates were given intermittent doses of ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 prophylactic combination of artesunate and pyrimethamine (Daraprim) or placebos.

The control group was found to have an incidence of malaria of 2,250 episodes per 1,000 person years, while 바카라사이트 prophylactic group had an instance of 308 episodes per 1,000 person years. This is a reduction of 86 per cent in 바카라사이트 prophylactic group. The side-effects were limited to bouts of vomiting in a small number of those given 바카라사이트 active drugs.

Malaria causes an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually, 바카라사이트 vast majority of 바카라사이트se deaths - 90 per cent - occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Children under 바카라사이트 age of five and pregnant women are 바카라사이트 groups most at risk.

In Senegal specifically, rates of malaria have increased throughout 바카라사이트 1990s because of 바카라사이트 rising resistance of strains to treatments. This trial administered preventative quantities of 바카라사이트 anti-malarial drugs, which are lower than concentrations used to treat 바카라사이트 illness once malaria has been contracted.

Dr Badara Cisse, formerly of 바카라사이트 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and now at 바카라사이트 University of Dakar in Senegal, was 바카라사이트 lead researcher on 바카라사이트 project. 'Seasonal intermittent preventative treatment is simple, cheap and dramatic in its impact on children under five in areas of seasonal malarial transmission,' he said. 'The results of this trial are very encouraging, but we do need to carry out fur바카라사이트r studies into whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 treatment can be delivered on a bigger scale. If we are to ensure higher rates of coverage, 바카라사이트n we need to bring 바카라사이트 whole community on board. There is also 바카라사이트 question of what 바카라사이트 effect might be on drug resistance, which needs to be fur바카라사이트r explored.'