Publications

@article{Schmit2024,

title = {The public health impact and cost-effectiveness of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine: a mathematical modelling study},

author = {Nora Schmit and Hillary M. Topazian and H. Magloire Natama and Duncan Bellamy and Ousmane Traor\'{e} and M. Athanase Som\'{e} and Toussaint Rouamba and Marc Christian Tahita and Massa Achille Bonko and Aboubakary Sourabi\'{e} and Hermann Sorgho and Lisa Stockdale and Samuel Provstgaard-Morys and Jeremy Aboagye and Danielle Woods and Katerina Rapi and Mehreen S. Datoo and Fernando Ramos Lopez and Giovanni D. Charles and Kelly McCain and Jean Bosco Ouedraogo and Mainga Hamaluba and Ally Olotu and Alassane Dicko and Halidou Tinto and Adrian V. S. Hill and Katie J. Ewer and Azra C. Ghani and Peter Winskill},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38342107/},

doi = {10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00816-2},

issn = {1474-4457},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {The Lancet. Infectious diseases},

volume = {24},

issue = {5},

pages = {465-475},

publisher = {Lancet Infect Dis},

abstract = {Background: The R21/Matrix-M vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum clinical malaria in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Using trial data, we aimed to estimate the public health impact and cost-effectiveness of vaccine introduction across sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We fitted a semi-mechanistic model of the relationship between anti-circumsporozoite protein antibody titres and vaccine efficacy to data from 3 years of follow-up in the phase 2b trial of R21/Matrix-M in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. We validated the model by comparing predicted vaccine efficacy to that observed over 12\textendash18 months in the phase 3 trial. Integrating this framework within a mathematical transmission model, we estimated the cases, malaria deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted and cost-effectiveness over a 15-year time horizon across a range of transmission settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Cost-effectiveness was estimated incorporating the cost of vaccine introduction (dose, consumables, and delivery) relative to existing interventions at baseline. We report estimates at a median of 20% parasite prevalence in children aged 2\textendash10 years (PfPR2\textendash10) and ranges from 3% to 65% PfPR2\textendash10. Findings: Anti-circumsporozoite protein antibody titres were found to satisfy the criteria for a surrogate of protection for vaccine efficacy against clinical malaria. Age-based implementation of a four-dose regimen of R21/Matrix-M vaccine was estimated to avert 181 825 (range 38 815\textendash333 491) clinical cases per 100 000 fully vaccinated children in perennial settings and 202 017 (29 868\textendash405 702) clinical cases per 100 000 fully vaccinated children in seasonal settings. Similar estimates were obtained for seasonal or hybrid implementation. Under an assumed vaccine dose price of US$3, the incremental cost per clinical case averted was $7 (range 4\textendash48) in perennial settings and $6 (3\textendash63) in seasonal settings and the incremental cost per DALY averted was $34 (29\textendash139) in perennial settings and $30 (22\textendash172) in seasonal settings, with lower cost-effectiveness ratios in settings with higher PfPR2\textendash10. Interpretation: Introduction of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine could have a substantial public health benefit across sub-Saharan Africa. Funding: The Wellcome Trust, the Bill \& Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK Medical Research Council, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 2 and 3, the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and the Serum Institute of India, Open Philanthropy.},

keywords = {Antibodies, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Child, Cost-Benefit Analysis*, Falciparum* / economics, Falciparum* / epidemiology, Falciparum* / prevention \& control, Female, Hillary M Topazian, Humans, Infant, Malaria, Malaria Vaccines* / administration \& dosage, Malaria Vaccines* / economics, Malaria Vaccines* / immunology, Male, MEDLINE, Models, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Nora Schmit, Peter Winskill, Plasmodium falciparum / immunology, pmid:38342107, Preschool, Protozoan / blood, Protozoan Proteins / immunology, Public Health* / economics, PubMed Abstract, Research Support, Theoretical*, Vaccine Efficacy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Barry2024,

title = {Helminth exposure and immune response to the two-dose heterologous Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen},

author = {Houreratou Barry and Edouard Lhomme and Mathieu Sur\'{e}naud and Moumini Nouctara and Cynthia Robinson and Viki Bockstal and Innocent Valea and Serge Somda and Halidou Tinto and Nicolas Meda and Brian Greenwood and Rodolphe Thi\'{e}baut and Christine Lacabaratz},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38603720/},

doi = {10.1371/JOURNAL.PNTD.0011500},

issn = {1935-2735},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},

volume = {18},

issue = {4},

publisher = {PLoS Negl Trop Dis},

abstract = {Background The exposure to parasites may influence the immune response to vaccines in endemic African countries. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between helminth exposure to the most prevalent parasitic infections, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths infection and filariasis, and the Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) antibody concentration in response to vaccination with the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen in African and European participants using samples obtained from three international clinical trials. Methods/Principal findings We conducted a study in a subset of participants in the EBL2001, EBL2002 and EBL3001 clinical trials that evaluated the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen against EVD in children, adolescents and adults from the United Kingdom, France, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone. Immune markers of helminth exposure at baseline were evaluated by ELISA with three commercial kits which detect IgG antibodies against schistosome, filarial and Strongyloides antigens. Luminex technology was used to measure inflammatory and activation markers, and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines at baseline. The association between binding IgG antibodies specific to EBOV GP (measured on day 21 post-dose 2 and on Day 365 after the first dose respectively), and helminth exposure at baseline was evaluated using a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for age and study group. Seventy-eight (21.3%) of the 367 participants included in the study had at least one helminth positive ELISA test at baseline, with differences of prevalence between studies and an increased prevalence with age. The most frequently detected antibodies were those to Schistosoma mansoni (10.9%), followed by Acanthocheilonema viteae (9%) and then Strongyloides ratti (7.9%). Among the 41 immunological analytes tested, five were significantly (p \< .003) lower in participants with at least one positive helminth ELISA test result: CCL2/MCP1, FGFbasic, IL-7, IL-13 and CCL11/Eotaxin compared to participants with negative helminth ELISA tests. No significant association was found with EBOV-GP specific antibody concentration at 21 days post-dose 2, or at 365 days post-dose 1, adjusted for age group, study, and the presence of any helminth antibodies at baseline. Conclusions/Significance No clear association was found between immune markers of helminth exposure as measured by ELISA and post-vaccination response to the Ebola Ad26.ZEBOV/ MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen. Trial registration NCT02416453, NCT02564523, NCT02509494. ClinicalTrials.gov.},

keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Africa, Aged, Animals, Antibodies, Child, Christine Lacabaratz, Cytokines / immunology, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0011500, Ebola Vaccines* / administration \& dosage, Ebola Vaccines* / immunology, Ebola* / immunology, Ebola* / prevention \& control, Ebolavirus / genetics, Ebolavirus / immunology, Edouard Lhomme, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Helminth / blood, Helminthiasis / immunology, Helminthiasis / prevention \& control, Helminths / genetics, Helminths / immunology, Hemorrhagic Fever, Houreratou Barry, Humans, Immunoglobulin G / blood, Male, MEDLINE, Middle Aged, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, PMC11037528, pmid:38603720, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Research Support, Viral* / blood, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Datoo2024,

title = {Safety and efficacy of malaria vaccine candidate R21/Matrix-M in African children: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial},

author = {Mehreen S. Datoo and Alassane Dicko and Halidou Tinto and Jean Bosco Ou\'{e}draogo and Mainga Hamaluba and Ally Olotu and Emma Beaumont and Fernando Ramos Lopez and Hamtandi Magloire Natama and Sophie Weston and Mwajuma Chemba and Yves Daniel Compaore and Djibrilla Issiaka and Diallo Salou and Athanase M. Some and Sharon Omenda and Alison Lawrie and Philip Bejon and Harish Rao and Daniel Chandramohan and Rachel Roberts and Sandesh Bharati and Lisa Stockdale and Sunil Gairola and Brian M. Greenwood and Katie J. Ewer and John Bradley and Prasad S. Kulkarni and Umesh Shaligram and Adrian V. S. Hill and Almahamoudou Mahamar and Koualy Sanogo and Youssoufa Sidibe and Kalifa Diarra and Mamoudou Samassekou and Oumar Attaher and Amadou Tapily and Makonon Diallo and Oumar Mohamed Dicko and Mahamadou Kaya and Seydina Oumar Maguiraga and Yaya Sankare and Hama Yalcouye and Soumaila Diarra and Sidi Mohamed Niambele and Ismaila Thera and Issaka Sagara and Mala Sylla and Amagana Dolo and Nsajigwa Misidai and Sylvester Simando and Hania Msami and Omary Juma and Nicolaus Gutapaka and Rose Paul and Sarah Mswata and Ibrahim Sasamalo and Kasmir Johaness and Mwantumu Sultan and Annastazia Alexander and Isaac Kimaro and Kauye Lwanga and Mwajuma Mtungwe and Kassim Khamis and Lighton Rugarabam and Wilmina Kalinga and Mohammed Mohammed and Janeth Kamange and Jubilate Msangi and Batuli Mwaijande and Ivanny Mtaka and Matilda Mhapa and Tarsis Mlaganile and Thabit Mbaga and Rakiswende Serge Yerbanga and Wendkouni Samtouma and Abdoul Aziz Sienou and Zachari Kabre and Wendinpui Jedida Muriel Ouedraogo and G. Armel Bienvenu Yarbanga and Issaka Zongo and Hamade Savadogo and Joseph Sanon and Judicael Compaore and Idrissa Kere and Ferdinand Lionel Yoni and Tewende Martine Sanre and Seydou Bienvenu Ouattara and Samuel Provstgaard-Morys and Danielle Woods and Robert W. Snow and Nyaguara Amek and Caroline J. Ngetsa and Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier and Jennifer Musyoki and Marianne Munene and Noni Mumba and Uche Jane Adetifa and Charles Mwangi Muiruri and Jimmy Shangala Mwawaka and Mwatasa Hussein Mwaganyuma and Martha Njeri Ndichu and Joseph Ochieng Weya and Kelvin Njogu and Jane Grant and Jayne Webster and Anand Lakhkar and N. F\'{e}lix Andr\'{e} Ido and Ousmane Traore and Marc Christian Tahita and Massa Achille Bonko and Toussaint Rouamba and D. Florence Ouedraogo and Rachidatou Soma and Aida Millogo and Edouard Ouedraogo and Faizatou Sorgho and Fab\'{e} Konate and Innocent Valea},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38310910/},

doi = {10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02511-4},

issn = {1474-547X},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Lancet (London, England)},

volume = {403},

issue = {10426},

pages = {533-544},

publisher = {Lancet},

abstract = {Background: Recently, we found that a new malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, had over 75% efficacy against clinical malaria with seasonal administration in a phase 2b trial in Burkina Faso. Here, we report on safety and efficacy of the vaccine in a phase 3 trial enrolling over 4800 children across four countries followed for up to 18 months at seasonal sites and 12 months at standard sites. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine across five sites in four African countries with differing malaria transmission intensities and seasonality. Children (aged 5\textendash36 months) were enrolled and randomly assigned (2:1) to receive 5 μg R21 plus 50 μg Matrix-M or a control vaccine (licensed rabies vaccine [Abhayrab]). Participants, their families, investigators, laboratory teams, and the local study team were masked to treatment. Vaccines were administered as three doses, 4 weeks apart, with a booster administered 12 months after the third dose. Half of the children were recruited at two sites with seasonal malaria transmission and the remainder at standard sites with perennial malaria transmission using age-based immunisation. The primary objective was protective efficacy of R21/Matrix-M from 14 days after third vaccination to 12 months after completion of the primary series at seasonal and standard sites separately as co-primary endpoints. Vaccine efficacy against multiple malaria episodes and severe malaria, as well as safety and immunogenicity, were also assessed. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04704830, and is ongoing. Findings: From April 26, 2021, to Jan 12, 2022, 5477 children consented to be screened, of whom 1705 were randomly assigned to control vaccine and 3434 to R21/Matrix-M; 4878 participants received the first dose of vaccine. 3103 participants in the R21/Matrix-M group and 1541 participants in the control group were included in the modified per-protocol analysis (2412 [51·9%] male and 2232 [48·1%] female). R21/Matrix-M vaccine was well tolerated, with injection site pain (301 [18·6%] of 1615 participants) and fever (754 [46·7%] of 1615 participants) as the most frequent adverse events. Number of adverse events of special interest and serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the vaccine groups. There were no treatment-related deaths. 12-month vaccine efficacy was 75% (95% CI 71\textendash79; p\<0·0001) at the seasonal sites and 68% (61\textendash74; p\<0·0001) at the standard sites for time to first clinical malaria episode. Similarly, vaccine efficacy against multiple clinical malaria episodes was 75% (71\textendash78; p\<0·0001) at the seasonal sites and 67% (59\textendash73; p\<0·0001) at standard sites. A modest reduction in vaccine efficacy was observed over the first 12 months of follow-up, of similar size at seasonal and standard sites. A rate reduction of 868 (95% CI 762\textendash974) cases per 1000 children-years at seasonal sites and 296 (231\textendash362) at standard sites occurred over 12 months. Vaccine-induced antibodies against the conserved central Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro (NANP) repeat sequence of circumsporozoite protein correlated with vaccine efficacy. Higher NANP-specific antibody titres were observed in the 5\textendash17 month age group compared with 18\textendash36 month age group, and the younger age group had the highest 12-month vaccine efficacy on time to first clinical malaria episode at seasonal (79% [95% CI 73\textendash84]; p\<0·001) and standard (75% [65\textendash83]; p\<0·001) sites. Interpretation: R21/Matrix-M was well tolerated and offered high efficacy against clinical malaria in African children. This low-cost, high-efficacy vaccine is already licensed by several African countries, and recently received a WHO policy recommendation and prequalification, offering large-scale supply to help reduce the great burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding: The Serum Institute of India, the Wellcome Trust, the UK National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and Open Philanthropy.},

keywords = {{Alassane Dicko, Antibodies, Burkina Faso, Child, Clinical Trial, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Immunization, Infant, Malaria Vaccines* / adverse effects, Malaria* / drug therapy, Male, MEDLINE, Mehreen S Datoo, Multicenter Study, Nanoparticles*, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Phase III, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, Research Support, Saponins*},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Koita2024,

title = {Increasing the uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) through seasonal malaria chemoprevention channel delivery: protocol of a multicenter cluster randomized implementation trial in Mali and Burkina Faso},

author = {Kadiatou Koita and Joel D. Bognini and Efundem Agboraw and Mahamadou Demb\'{e}l\'{e} and Seydou Yabr\'{e} and Bi\'{e}bo Bihoun and Oumou Coulibaly and Hamidou Niangaly and Jean Batiste N’Takp\'{e} and Maia Lesosky and Dario Scaramuzzi and Eve Worrall and Jenny Hill and Val\'{e}rie Briand and Halidou Tinto and Kassoum Kayentao},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38166711/},

doi = {10.1186/S12889-023-17529-Z},

issn = {1471-2458},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {BMC public health},

volume = {24},

issue = {1},

publisher = {BMC Public Health},

abstract = {Background: The uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy using Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) remains unacceptably low, with more than two-thirds of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa still not accessing the three or more doses recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In contrast, the coverage of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), a more recent strategy recommended by the WHO for malaria prevention in children under five years living in Sahelian countries with seasonal transmission, including Mali and Burkina-Faso, is high (up to 90%). We hypothesized that IPTp-SP delivery to pregnant women through SMC alongside antenatal care (ANC) will increase IPTp-SP coverage, boost ANC attendance, and increase public health impact. This protocol describes the approach to assess acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the integrated strategy. Methods and analysis: This is a multicentre, cluster-randomized, implementation trial of IPTp-SP delivery through ANC + SMC vs ANC alone in 40 health facilities and their catchment populations (20 clusters per arm). The intervention will consist of monthly administration of IPTp-SP through four monthly rounds of SMC during the malaria transmission season (July to October), for two consecutive years. Effectiveness of the strategy to increase coverage of three or more doses of IPTp-SP (IPTp3 +) will be assessed using household surveys and ANC exit interviews. Statistical analysis of IPT3 + and four or more ANC uptake will use a generalized linear mixed model. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with health workers, pregnant women, and women with a child \< 12 months. Discussion: This multicentre cluster randomized implementation trial powered to detect a 45% and 22% increase in IPTp-SP3 + uptake in Mali and Burkina-Faso, respectively, will generate evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of IPTp-SP delivered through the ANC + SMC channel. The intervention is designed to facilitate scalability and translation into policy by leveraging existing resources, while strengthening local capacities in research, health, and community institutions. Findings will inform the local national malaria control policies. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered on August 11th, 2022; registration # PACTR202208844472053. Protocol v4.0 dated September 04, 2023. Trail sponsor: University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Mali.},

keywords = {Antimalarials* / therapeutic use, Burkina Faso, Chemoprevention, Child, Clinical Trial Protocol, doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17529-z, Drug Combinations, Female, Humans, Joel D Bognini, Kadiatou Koita, Kassoum Kayentao, Malaria* / drug therapy, Malaria* / prevention \& control, Mali, MEDLINE, Multicenter Studies as Topic, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Parasitic* / prevention \& control, PMC10763117, pmid:38166711, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Pyrimethamine / therapeutic use, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Research Support, Seasons, Sulfadoxine / therapeutic use},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bassinga2024,

title = {Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria at the communal level in Burkina Faso: an application of the small area estimation approach},

author = {Herv\'{e} Bassinga and Mady Ouedraogo and Kadari Cisse and Parfait Yira and Sibiri Cl\'{e}ment Ouedraogo and Abdou Nombr\'{e} and Wofom Lydie Marie Bernard Bance and Mathias Kuepie and Toussaint Rouamba},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39155384/},

doi = {10.1186/S12963-024-00341-1},

issn = {1478-7954},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Population health metrics},

volume = {22},

issue = {1},

publisher = {Popul Health Metr},

abstract = {Background: In malaria-endemic countries, asymptomatic carriers of plasmodium represent an important reservoir for malaria transmission. Estimating the burden at a fine scale and identifying areas at high risk of asymptomatic carriage are important to guide malaria control strategies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic carriage at the communal level in Burkina Faso, the smallest geographical entity from which a local development policy can be driven. Methods: The data used in this study came from several open sources: the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey on Malaria and the 2019 general census of the population data and environmental. The analysis involved a total of 5489 children under 5 from the malaria survey and 293,715 children under 5 from the census. The Elbers Langjouw and Langjouw (ELL) approach is used to estimate the prevalence. This approach consists of including data from several sources (mainly census and survey data) in a statistical model to obtain predictive indicators at a sub-geographical level, which are not measured in the population census. The method achieves this by finding correlations between common census variables and survey data. Findings: The findings suggest that the spatial distribution of the prevalence of asymptomatic carriage is very heterogeneous across the communes. It varies from a minimum of 5.1% (95% CI 3.6\textendash6.5) in the commune of Bobo-Dioulasso to a maximum of 41.4% (95% CI 33.5\textendash49.4) in the commune of Djigou\'{e}. Of the 341 communes, 208 (61%) had prevalences above the national average of 20.3% (95% CI 18.8\textendash21.2). Contributions: This analysis provided commune-level estimates of the prevalence of asymptomatic carriage of plasmodium in Burkina Faso. The results of this analysis should help to improve planning of malaria control at the communal level in Burkina Faso.},

keywords = {Asymptomatic Infections / epidemiology, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Carrier State / epidemiology, Child, doi:10.1186/s12963-024-00341-1, Female, Herv\'{e} Bassinga, Humans, Infant, Mady Ouedraogo, Malaria* / epidemiology, Male, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, PMC11330607, pmid:39155384, Preschool, Prevalence, PubMed Abstract, Small-Area Analysis, Toussaint Rouamba},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Soumah2024,

title = {Prevalence of dermal trypanosomes in suspected and confirmed cases of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in Guinea},

author = {Alseny M’Mah Soumah and Mariame Camara and Justin Windingoudi Kabor\'{e} and Ibrahim Sadissou and Hamidou Ilboudo and Christelle Travaill\'{e} and Oumou Camara and Magali Tichit and Jacques Kabor\'{e} and Salimatou Boiro and Aline Crouzols and Jean Marc Tsagmo Ngoune and David Hardy and A\"{i}ssata Camara and Vincent Jamonneau and Annette Macleod and Jean Mathieu Bart and Mamadou Camara and Bruno Bucheton and Brice Rotureau},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39159265/},

doi = {10.1371/JOURNAL.PNTD.0012436},

issn = {1935-2735},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},

volume = {18},

issue = {8},

publisher = {PLoS Negl Trop Dis},

abstract = {The skin is an anatomical reservoir for African trypanosomes, yet the prevalence of extravascular parasite carriage in the population at risk of gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis (gHAT) remains unclear. Here, we conducted a prospective observational cohort study in the HAT foci of Forecariah and Boffa, Republic of Guinea. Of the 18,916 subjects serologically screened for gHAT, 96 were enrolled into our study. At enrolment and follow-up visits, participants underwent a dermatological examination and had blood samples and superficial skin snip biopsies taken for examination by molecular and immuno-histological methods. In seropositive individuals, dermatological symptoms were significantly more frequent as compared to seronegative controls. Trypanosoma brucei DNA was detected in the blood of 67% of confirmed cases (22/33) and 9% of unconfirmed seropositive individuals (3/32). However, parasites were detected in the extravascular dermis of up to 71% of confirmed cases (25/35) and 41% of unconfirmed seropositive individuals (13/32) by PCR and/or immuno-histochemistry. Six to twelve months after treatment, trypanosome detection in the skin dropped to 17% of confirmed cases (5/30), whereas up to 25% of unconfirmed, hence untreated, seropositive individuals (4/16) were still found positive. Dermal trypanosomes were observed in subjects from both transmission foci, however, the occurrence of pruritus and the PCR positivity rates were significantly higher in unconfirmed seropositive individuals in Forecariah. The lower sensitivity of superficial skin snip biopsies appeared critical for detecting trypanosomes in the basal dermis. These results are discussed in the context of the planned elimination of gHAT.},

keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, African* / diagnosis, African* / epidemiology, African* / parasitology, Alseny M'mah Soumah, Brice Rotureau, Child, DNA, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012436, Female, Guinea / epidemiology, Humans, Male, Mariame Camara, MEDLINE, Middle Aged, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Observational Study, PMC11361743, pmid:39159265, Prevalence, Prospective Studies, Protozoan / genetics, PubMed Abstract, Skin* / parasitology, Skin* / pathology, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense* / isolation \& purification, Trypanosomiasis, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kiemde2024,

title = {Impact of a package of point-of-care diagnostic tests, a clinical diagnostic algorithm and adherence training on antibiotic prescriptions for the management of non-severe acute febrile illness in primary health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Burkina Faso},

author = {Francois Kiemde and Juvenal Nkeramahame and Ana Belen Ibarz and Sabine Dittrich and Piero Olliaro and Daniel Valia and Toussaint Rouamba and Berenger Kabore and Alima Nadine Kone and Seydou Sawadogo and Antonia Windkouni Bere and Diane Yirgnur Some and Athanase Mwinessobaonfou Some and Adelaide Compaore and Philip Horgan and Stephan Weber and Thomas Keller and Halidou Tinto},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39192209/},

doi = {10.1186/S12879-024-09787-Y},

issn = {1471-2334},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {BMC infectious diseases},

volume = {24},

issue = {1},

publisher = {BMC Infect Dis},

abstract = {Objective: To assess the impact of an intervention package on the prescription of antibiotic and subsequently the rate of clinical recovery for non-severe acute febrile illnesses at primary health centers. Methods: Patients over 6 months of age presenting to primary health care centres with fever or history of fever within the past 7 days were randomized to receive either the intervention package constituted of point-of-care tests including COVID-19 antigen tests, a diagnostic algorithm and training and communication packages, or the standard practice. The primary outcomes were antibiotic prescriptions at Day 0 (D0) and the clinical recovery at Day 7 (D7). Secondary outcomes were non-adherence of participants and parents/caregivers to prescriptions, health workers’ non-adherence to the algorithm, and the safety of the intervention. Results: A total of 1098 patients were enrolled. 551 (50.2%) were randomized to receive the intervention versus 547 (49.8%) received standard care. 1054 (96.0%) completed follow-up and all of them recovered at D7 in both arms. The proportion of patients with antibiotic prescriptions at D0 were 33.2% (183/551) in the intervention arm versus 58.1% (318/547) under standard care, risk difference (RD) -24.9 (95% CI -30.6 to -19.2, p \< 0.001), corresponding to one more antibiotic saved every four (95% CI: 3 to 5) consultations. This reduction was also statistically significant in children from 6 to 59 months (RD -34.5; 95% CI -41.7 to -27.3; p \< 0.001), patients over 18 years (RD -35.9; 95%CI -58.5 to -13.4; p = 0.002), patients with negative malaria test (RD -46.9; 95% CI -53.9 to -39.8; p \< 0.001), those with a respiratory diagnosis (RD -48.9; 95% CI -56.9 to -41.0, p \< 0.001) and those not vaccinated against COVID-19 (-24.8% 95%CI -30.7 to -18.9, p-value: \<0.001). A significant reduction in non-adherence to prescription by patients was reported (RD -7.1; 95% CI -10.9 to -3.3; p \< 0.001). Conclusion: The intervention was associated with significant reductions of antibiotic prescriptions and non-adherence, chiefly among patients with non-malaria fever, those with respiratory symptoms and children below 5 years of age. The addition of COVID-19 testing did not have a major impact on antibiotic use at primary health centers. Trial registration: Clinitrial.gov; NCT04081051 registered on 06/09/2019.},

keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Algorithms*, Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use, Burkina Faso, Child, COVID-19* / diagnosis, doi:10.1186/s12879-024-09787-y, Female, Fever* / drug therapy, Francois Kiemde, Halidou Tinto, Humans, Infant, Juvenal Nkeramahame, Male, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, PMC11351252, pmid:39192209, Point-of-Care Systems, Point-of-Care Testing, Preschool, Primary Health Care*, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, SARS-Cov-2},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Tahita2024,

title = {Post-discharge malaria chemoprevention in children with severe anaemia: a robust strategy to save lives},

author = {Marc Christian Tahita and Quique Bassat},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38097287/},

doi = {10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00524-7},

issn = {2214-109X},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {The Lancet. Global health},

volume = {12},

issue = {1},

pages = {e2-e3},

publisher = {Lancet Glob Health},

keywords = {Aftercare, Anemia* / epidemiology, Anemia* / prevention \& control, Antimalarials* / therapeutic use, Chemoprevention, Child, Humans, Infant, Malaria* / drug therapy, Malaria* / prevention \& control, Marc Christian Tahita, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Patient Discharge, pmid:38097287, PubMed Abstract, Quique Bassat},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Valia2023,

title = {Healthcare seeking outside healthcare facilities and antibiotic dispensing patterns in rural Burkina Faso: A mixed methods study},

author = {Daniel Valia and Juste St\'{e}phane Kouanda and Brecht Ingelbeen and Karim Derra and B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e} and Fran\c{c}ois Kiemd\'{e} and Toussaint Rouamba and Eli Rouamba and Franck Sovi Hien and Linda Campbell and Marie Meudec and Annie Robert and Halidou Tinto and Marianne A. B. Sande and Hector Rodriguez Villalobos},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36871194/},

doi = {10.1111/TMI.13868},

issn = {1365-3156},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Tropical medicine \& international health : TM \& IH},

volume = {28},

issue = {5},

pages = {391-400},

publisher = {Trop Med Int Health},

abstract = {Objective: Optimising antibiotic use is important to limit increasing antibiotic resistance. In rural Burkina Faso, over-the-counter dispensing of antibiotics in community pharmacies and non-licensed medicine retail outlets facilitates self-medication. We investigated its extent, reasons and dispensing patterns. Methods: In an exploratory mixed-method design conducted between October 2020 and December 2021, this study first explored illness perceptions, the range of healthcare providers in communities, antibiotics knowledge and reasons for seeking healthcare outside healthcare facilities. Second, frequencies of illness and healthcare utilisation in the last 3 months were quantitatively measured. Results: Participants distinguished between natural and magico-religious illnesses, according to origins. For illnesses considered to be ‘natural’, healthcare was mainly sought at healthcare facilities, private pharmacies and informal drug outlets. For illnesses considered as magico-religious, traditional healers were mainly visited. Antibiotics were perceived in the community as medicines similar to painkillers. Healthcare-seeking outside healthcare facilities was reported by 660/1973 (33.5%) participants reporting symptoms, including 315 (47.7%) to informal vendors. Healthcare seeking outside facilities was less common for 0\textendash4-year-olds (58/534, 10.9% vs. 379/850, 44.1% for ≥5-year-olds) and decreased with improving socio-economic status (108/237, 45.6% in the lowest quintile; 96/418, 23.0% in the highest). Reported reasons included financial limitation, and also proximity to informal drug vendors, long waiting times at healthcare facilities, and health professionals' non-empathetic attitudes towards their patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to facilitate and promote access to healthcare facilities through universal health insurance and patient-centred care including reducing patients' waiting time. Furthermore, community-level antibiotic stewardship programmes should include community pharmacies and informal vendors.},

keywords = {Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use, Attitude of Health Personnel, Burkina Faso, Child, Daniel Valia, doi:10.1111/tmi.13868, Hector Rodriguez Villalobos, Humans, Juste St\'{e}phane Kouanda, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Patient Acceptance of Health Care*, pmid:36871194, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Research Support, Self Medication},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ouoba2023,

title = {Intermediate hepatitis B virus infection prevalence among 1622 pregnant women in rural Burkina Faso and implications for mother-to-child transmission},

author = {Serge Ouoba and Ko Ko and Moussa Lingani and Shintaro Nagashima and Alice N. Guingan\'{e} and E. Bunthen and Md Razeen Ashraf Hussain and Aya Sugiyama and Tomoyuki Akita and Masayuki Ohisa and Moussa Abdel Sanou and Ousmane Traore and Job Wilfried Nassa and Maimouna Sanou and Kazuaki Takahashi and Halidou Tinto and Junko Tanaka},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37059812/},

doi = {10.1038/S41598-023-32766-3},

issn = {2045-2322},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Scientific reports},

volume = {13},

issue = {1},

publisher = {Sci Rep},

abstract = {In highly endemic countries for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, childhood infection, including mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), represents the primary transmission route. High maternal DNA level (viral load ≥ 200,000 IU/mL) is a significant factor for MTCT. We investigated the prevalence of HBsAg, HBeAg, and high HBV DNA among pregnant women in three hospitals in Burkina Faso and assessed the performance of HBeAg to predict high viral load. Consenting pregnant women were interviewed on their sociodemographic characteristics and tested for HBsAg by a rapid diagnostic test, and dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected for laboratory analyses. Of the 1622 participants, HBsAg prevalence was 6.5% (95% CI, 5.4\textendash7.8%). Among 102 HBsAg-positive pregnant women in DBS samples, HBeAg was positive in 22.6% (95% CI, 14.9\textendash31.9%), and viral load was quantified in 94 cases, with 19.1% having HBV DNA ≥ 200,000 IU/mL. HBV genotypes were identified in 63 samples and predominant genotypes were E (58.7%) and A (36.5%). The sensitivity of HBeAg by using DBS samples to identify high viral load in the 94 cases was 55.6%, and the specificity was 86.8%. These findings highlight the need to implement routine HBV screening and effective MTCT risk assessment for all pregnant women in Burkina Faso to enable early interventions that can effectively reduce MTCT.},

keywords = {Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Child, DNA, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-32766-3, Female, Hepatitis B e Antigens, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Hepatitis B virus / genetics, Hepatitis B* / diagnosis, Humans, Infectious Disease Transmission, Infectious* / epidemiology, Junko Tanaka, Ko Ko, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, PMC10103033, pmid:37059812, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnant Women, Prevalence, PubMed Abstract, Research Support, Serge Ouoba, Vertical / prevention \& control, Viral / genetics},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ouedraogo2023,

title = {The burden of the coronavirus disease 2019 virus infection in Burkina Faso: Results from a World Health Organization UNITY population-based, age-stratified sero-epidemiological investigation},

author = {Samiratou Ouedraogo and Isidore Tiandiogo Traor\'{e} and Dramane Kania and Nongodo Firmin Kabor\'{e} and Ariane Mamguem Kamga and Hermann Badolo and Mimbour\'{e} Yara and Guillaume Sanou and Amariane Kon\'{e} and Samdapawind\'{e} Th\'{e}r\`{e}se Kagon\'{e} and Esperance Ou\'{e}draogo and Blahima Konat\'{e} and Rachel M\'{e}dah and Nathalie Rekeneire and Armel Poda and Arnaud Eric Diendere and Boukary Ou\'{e}draogo and Oumar Billa and Gilles Paradis and Halidou Tinto and Tienhan Sandrine Dabakuyo-Yonli},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38019697/},

doi = {10.1111/IRV.13216},

issn = {1750-2659},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Influenza and other respiratory viruses},

volume = {17},

issue = {11},

publisher = {Influenza Other Respir Viruses},

abstract = {Background: This study aimed to estimate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in the general population of Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Methods: We collected from March to April 2021 blood samples from randomly selected residents in both main cities based on the World Health Organization (WHO) sero-epidemiological investigations protocols and tested them with WANTAI SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits intended for qualitative assessment. We also recorded participants' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and information on exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Data were analysed with descriptive and comparative statistics. Results: We tested 5240 blood samples collected between 03 March and 16 April 2021. The overall test-adjusted seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was (67.8% [95% CI 65.9\textendash70.2]) (N = 3553/3982). Seroprevalence was highest among participants aged 15\textendash18 years old (74.2% [95% CI 70.5\textendash77.5]) (N = 465/627), compared with those aged 10\textendash14 years old (62.6% [95% CI 58.7\textendash66.4]) (N = 395/631), or those over 18 (67.6% [95% CI 66.2\textendash69.1]) (N = 2693/3982). Approximately 71.0% (601/860) of participants aged 10\textendash18 years old who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies experienced no clinical COVID-19 symptoms in the weeks before the survey, compared with 39.3% (1059/2693) among those aged over 18 years old. Conclusion: This study reports the results of the first known large serological survey in the general population of Burkina Faso. It shows high circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in the two cities and a high proportion of asymptomatic adolescents. Further studies are needed to identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants and to elucidate the factors protecting some infected individuals from developing clinical COVID-19.},

keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Antibodies, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Child, COVID-19* / epidemiology, doi:10.1111/irv.13216, Humans, Isidore Tiandiogo Traor\'{e}, MEDLINE, Middle Aged, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, PMC10655778, pmid:38019697, PubMed Abstract, Samiratou Ou\'{e}draogo, SARS-CoV-2*, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Tienhan Sandrine Dabakuyo-Yonli, Viral},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kiemde2023,

title = {A Randomized Trial to Assess the Impact of a Package of Diagnostic Tools and Diagnostic Algorithm on Antibiotic Prescriptions for the Management of Febrile Illnesses Among Children and Adolescents in Primary Health Facilities in Burkina Faso},

author = {Francois Kiemde and Daniel Valia and Berenger Kabore and Toussaint Rouamba and Alima Nadine Kone and Seydou Sawadogo and Adelaide Compaore and Olawale Salami and Philip Horgan and Catrin E. Moore and Sabine Dittrich and Juvenal Nkeramahame and Piero Olliaro and Halidou Tinto},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37490742/},

doi = {10.1093/CID/CIAD331},

issn = {1537-6591},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America},

volume = {77},

issue = {Suppl 2},

pages = {S134-S144},

publisher = {Clin Infect Dis},

abstract = {Background: Low- and middle-income countries face significant challenges in differentiating bacterial from viral causes of febrile illnesses, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics. This trial aimed to evaluate the impact of an intervention package comprising diagnostic tests, a diagnostic algorithm, and a training-and-communication package on antibiotic prescriptions and clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients aged 6 months to 18 years with fever or history of fever within the past 7 days with no focus, or a suspected respiratory tract infection, arriving at 2 health facilities were randomized to either the intervention package or standard practice. The primary outcomes were the proportions of patients who recovered at day 7 (D7) and patients prescribed antibiotics at day 0. Results: Of 1718 patients randomized, 1681 (97.8%; intervention: 844; control: 837) completed follow-up: 99.5% recovered at D7 in the intervention arm versus 100% in standard practice (P =. 135). Antibiotics were prescribed to 40.6% of patients in the intervention group versus 57.5% in the control arm (risk ratio: 29.3%; 95% CI: 21.8-36.0%; risk difference [RD]: -16.8%; 95% CI: -21.7% to -12.0%; P \<. 001), which translates to 1 additional antibiotic prescription saved every 6 (95% CI: 5-8) consultations. This reduction was significant regardless of test results for malaria, but was greater in patients without malaria (RD: -46.0%; -54.7% to -37.4%; P \<. 001), those with a respiratory diagnosis (RD: -38.2%; -43.8% to -32.6%; P \<. 001), and in children 6-59 months old (RD: -20.4%; -26.0% to -14.9%; P \<. 001). Except for the period July-September, the reduction was consistent across the other quarters (P \<. 001). Conclusions: The implementation of the package can reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescription without compromising clinical outcomes. Clinical Trials Registration: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04081051.},

keywords = {Adolescent, Algorithms, Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use, Burkina Faso, Child, Daniel Valia, doi:10.1093/cid/ciad331, Francois Kiemde, Halidou Tinto, Health Facilities, Humans, Infant, Malaria* / drug therapy, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, PMC10368409, pmid:37490742, Preschool, Prescriptions, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, Research Support},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Agnandji2023,

title = {Prostration and the prognosis of death in African children with severe malaria},

author = {Selidji T. Agnandji and Mario Recker and Benjamin Mordm\"{u}ller and Stephan Gl\"{o}ckner and Akim A. Adegnika and Bertrand Lell and Lucas Otieno and Walter Otieno and Seth Owusu-Agyei and Kwaku P. Asante and Tsiri Agbenyega and Daniel Ansong and Eusebio Macete and Pedro Aide and Hermann Sorgho and Halidou Tinto and Neema Mturi and John P. A. Lusingu and Samwel Gesase and Irving Hoffman and Nahya Salim Masoud and Charles R. Newton and Kalifa Bojang and G\'{e}rard Krause and Peter Gottfried Kremsner},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37414210/},

doi = {10.1016/J.IJID.2023.06.022},

issn = {1878-3511},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases},

volume = {134},

pages = {240-247},

publisher = {Int J Infect Dis},

abstract = {Objectives: Malaria is still one of the main reasons for hospitalization in children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Rapid risk stratification at admission is essential for optimal medical care and improved prognosis. Whereas coma, deep breathing, and, to a lesser degree, severe anemia are established predictors of malaria-related death, the value of assessing prostration for risk stratification is less certain. Methods: Here we used a retrospective multi-center analysis comprising over 33,000 hospitalized children from four large studies, including two observational studies from the Severe Malaria in African Children network, a randomized controlled treatment study, and the phase-3-clinical RTS,S-malaria vaccine trial, to evaluate known risk factors of mortality and with a specific emphasis on the role of prostration. Results: Despite comparable age profiles of the participants, we found significant inter- and intra-study variation in the incidence of fatal malaria as well as in the derived risk ratios associated with the four risk factors: coma, deep breathing, anemia, and prostration. Despite pronounced variations, prostration was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (P \<0.001) and its consideration resulted in improved predictive performance, both in a multivariate model and a univariate model based on the Lambar\'{e}n\'{e} Organ Dysfunction Score. Conclusion: Prostration is an important clinical criterion to determine severe pediatric malaria with possible fatal outcomes.},

keywords = {Anemia*, Child, Clinical Trial, Coma, doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2023.06.022, Falciparum* / drug therapy, Humans, Infant, Malaria, Malaria* / complications, Malaria* / diagnosis, Mario Recker, MEDLINE, Multicenter Study, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Peter Gottfried Kremsner, Phase III, pmid:37414210, Prognosis, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, Selidji T Agnandji},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Neyer2023,

title = {Exploring the host factors affecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection: insights from a rural Burkina Faso study},

author = {Peter J. Neyer and B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e} and Christos T. Nakas and Britta Hartmann and Annelies Post and Salou Diallo and Halidou Tinto and Angelika Hammerer-Lercher and Carlo R. Largiad\`{e}r and Andre J. Ven and Andreas R. Huber},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37658365/},

doi = {10.1186/S12936-023-04686-0},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Malaria journal},

volume = {22},

issue = {1},

publisher = {Malar J},

abstract = {Background: Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia forms a reservoir for the transmission of malaria disease in West Africa. Certain haemoglobin variants are known to protect against severe malaria infection. However, data on the potential roles of haemoglobin variants and nongenetic factors in asymptomatic malaria infection is scarce and controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the associations of iron homeostasis, inflammation, nutrition, and haemoglobin mutations with parasitaemia in an asymptomatic cohort from a P. falciparum-endemic region during the high transmission season. Methods: A sub-study population of 688 asymptomatic individuals (predominantly children and adolescents under 15 years},

keywords = {Adolescent, Andreas R Huber, Asymptomatic Infections / epidemiology, B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e}, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Child, doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04686-0, Falciparum* / epidemiology, hemoglobin, Hepcidins*, Humans, Malaria, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Peter J Neyer, Plasmodium falciparum / genetics, PMC10474782, pmid:37658365, PubMed Abstract, Sickle},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Boua2023,

title = {Undernutrition in children aged 0-59 months by region and over time: secondary analysis of the Burkina Faso 2012-2018 National Nutrition Surveys},

author = {Palwende Romuald Boua and Toussaint Rouamba and Estelle Bambara and Saidou Kabor\'{e} and Ella W. R. Compaore and Boureima Ouedraogo and Halidou Tinto and Marie Louise Newell and Kate Ward and Hermann Sorgho},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37673454/},

doi = {10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-066509},

issn = {2044-6055},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {BMJ open},

volume = {13},

issue = {9},

publisher = {BMJ Open},

abstract = {The global burden of undernutrition remains high, responsible for significant under-five mortality in resource-limited settings. Numerous sustainable development goals (SDGs) are linked to nutrition, and nationally representative nutrition surveillance is a key activity to track progress towards SDGs and guide efficient programmes. Objectives The aim of this study is to look at spatial and temporal trends in undernutrition in children under 5 years age in Burkina Faso. Setting We used data from annual National Nutrition Surveys using Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions methodology (anthropometry, morbidity) over 7 years (2012-2018) in Burkina Faso. Participants Children of under 5 years from households selected through systemic sampling at countrywide level. Main outcome measures Prevalence of stunting (height-for-age z-score, \<-2), underweight (weight-for-age z-score, \<-2) and wasting (weight-for-height z-score, \<-2) at regional and national. We used general linear mixed models, adjusted by age, survey year, sex, presence of fever and/or diarrhoea, and poverty index to quantify the risk of undernutrition over time and by region of residence. Results Between 2012 and 2018, decreases were observed overall in the prevalence of growth retardation (stunting) decreased from 33.0% (95% CI 32.3 to 33.8) in 2012 to 26.7% (95% CI 26.2 to 27.3) in 2018. Underweight reduced from 24.4% (95% CI 23.7 to 25.1) to 18.7% (95% CI 18.2 to 19.2) for the same period and wasting decreased from 10.8% (95% CI 10.3 to 11.3) in 2012 to 8.4% (95% CI 8.1 to 8.8) in 2018. However, there was substantial variation across the country, with increased risk of undernutrition in the regions of Sahel, East and Cascades primarily. High-risk regions were characterised by a lower poverty index and limited access to healthcare services. Conclusions Our findings could inform national policymakers in refining and optimising resource allocation based on the identification of high-risk areas.},

keywords = {{Author(firstnames='Ad\'{e}la\"{i}de', Author(firstnames='Aminata', Author(firstnames='Caroline', Author(firstnames='Cornelius', Author(firstnames='Daniella', Author(firstnames='Doreen', Author(firstnames='Edith', Author(firstnames='Engelbert', Author(firstnames='Esmond W', Author(firstnames='James', Author(firstnames='Josephine', Author(firstnames='Kadija', Author(firstnames='Karim', Author(firstnames='Keith', Author(firstnames='Marie-Louise', Author(firstnames='Mark', Author(firstnames='Mary', Author(firstnames='Maxwell', Author(firstnames='Michael', Author(firstnames='Paul', Author(firstnames='Paula', Author(firstnames='Polly', Author(firstnames='Samuel', Author(firstnames='Sarah', Author(firstnames='Shane A', Author(firstnames='Stephanie', Author(firstnames='Winfred', Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Cachexia, Child, CollabAuthor(name='INPreP Study Group', Growth Disorders / epidemiology, Humans, Malnutrition* / epidemiology, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Nutrition Surveys, Palwende Romuald Boua, PMC10496659, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Research Support, Thinness* / epidemiology, Toussaint Rouamba},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ogutu2023,

title = {Ganaplacide (KAF156) plus lumefantrine solid dispersion formulation combination for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: an open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial},

author = {Bernhards Ogutu and Adoke Yeka and Sylvia Kusemererwa and Ricardo Thompson and Halidou Tinto and Andre Offianan Toure and Chirapong Uthaisin and Amar Verma and Afizi Kibuuka and Moussa Lingani and Carlos Louren\c{c}o and Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma and Videlis Nduba and Tiacoh Landry N'Guessan and Gu\'{e}tawend\'{e} Job Wilfried Nassa and Mary Nyantaro and Lucas Otieno Tina and Piyoosh K. Singh and Myriam El Gaaloul and Anne Claire Marrast and Havana Chikoto and Katalin Csermak and Ivan Demin and Dheeraj Mehta and Rashidkhan Pathan and Celine Risterucci and Guoqin Su and Cornelis Winnips and Grace Kaguthi and Bakary Fofana and Martin Peter Grobusch},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37327809/},

doi = {10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00209-8},

issn = {1474-4457},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {The Lancet. Infectious diseases},

volume = {23},

issue = {9},

pages = {1051-1061},

publisher = {Lancet Infect Dis},

abstract = {Background: Emergence of drug resistance demands novel antimalarial drugs with new mechanisms of action. We aimed to identify effective and well tolerated doses of ganaplacide plus lumefantrine solid dispersion formulation (SDF) in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Methods: This open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial was conducted at 13 research clinics and general hospitals in ten African and Asian countries. Patients had microscopically-confirmed uncomplicated P falciparum malaria (\>1000 and \<150 000 parasites per μL). Part A identified the optimal dose regimens in adults and adolescents (aged ≥12 years) and in part B, the selected doses were assessed in children (≥2 years and \<12 years). In part A, patients were randomly assigned to one of seven groups (once a day ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg for 1, 2, or 3 days; ganaplacide 800 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg as a single dose; once a day ganaplacide 200 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 480 mg for 3 days; once a day ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 480 mg for 3 days; or twice a day artemether plus lumefantrine for 3 days [control]), with stratification by country (2:2:2:2:2:2:1) using randomisation blocks of 13. In part B, patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (once a day ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg for 1, 2, or 3 days, or twice a day artemether plus lumefantrine for 3 days) with stratification by country and age (2 to \<6 years and 6 to \<12 years; 2:2:2:1) using randomisation blocks of seven. The primary efficacy endpoint was PCR-corrected adequate clinical and parasitological response at day 29, analysed in the per protocol set. The null hypothesis was that the response was 80% or lower, rejected when the lower limit of two-sided 95% CI was higher than 80%. This study is registered with EudraCT (2020\textendash003284\textendash25) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03167242). Findings: Between Aug 2, 2017, and May 17, 2021, 1220 patients were screened and of those, 12 were included in the run-in cohort, 337 in part A, and 175 in part B. In part A, 337 adult or adolescent patients were randomly assigned, 326 completed the study, and 305 were included in the per protocol set. The lower limit of the 95% CI for PCR-corrected adequate clinical and parasitological response on day 29 was more than 80% for all treatment regimens in part A (46 of 50 patients [92%, 95% CI 81\textendash98] with 1 day, 47 of 48 [98%, 89\textendash100] with 2 days, and 42 of 43 [98%, 88\textendash100] with 3 days of ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg; 45 of 48 [94%, 83\textendash99] with ganaplacide 800 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg for 1 day; 47 of 47 [100%, 93\textendash100] with ganaplacide 200 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 480 mg for 3 days; 44 of 44 [100%, 92\textendash100] with ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 480 mg for 3 days; and 25 of 25 [100%, 86\textendash100] with artemether plus lumefantrine). In part B, 351 children were screened, 175 randomly assigned (ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg once a day for 1, 2, or 3 days), and 171 completed the study. Only the 3-day regimen met the prespecified primary endpoint in paediatric patients (38 of 40 patients [95%, 95% CI 83\textendash99] vs 21 of 22 [96%, 77\textendash100] with artemether plus lumefantrine). The most common adverse events were headache (in seven [14%] of 51 to 15 [28%] of 54 in the ganaplacide plus lumefantrine-SDF groups and five [19%] of 27 in the artemether plus lumefantrine group) in part A, and malaria (in 12 [27%] of 45 to 23 [44%] of 52 in the ganaplacide plus lumefantrine-SDF groups and 12 [50%] of 24 in the artemether plus lumefantrine group) in part B. No patients died during the study. Interpretation: Ganaplacide plus lumefantrine-SDF was effective and well tolerated in patients, especially adults and adolescents, with uncomplicated P falciparum malaria. Ganaplacide 400 mg plus lumefantrine-SDF 960 mg once daily for 3 days was identified as the optimal treatment regimen for adults, adolescents, and children. This combination is being evaluated further in a phase 2 trial (NCT04546633). Funding: Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture.},

keywords = {Adoke Yeka, Adolescent, Adult, Antimalarials*, Artemether / pharmacology, Artemether / therapeutic use, Artemisinins*, Bernhards Ogutu, Child, Clinical Trial, doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00209-8, Drug Combinations, Ethanolamines / pharmacology, Ethanolamines / therapeutic use, Falciparum* / drug therapy, Falciparum* / parasitology, Fluorenes / pharmacology, Fluorenes / therapeutic use, Humans, Lumefantrine / pharmacology, Lumefantrine / therapeutic use, Malaria, Malaria* / drug therapy, Martin Peter Grobusch, MEDLINE, Multicenter Study, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Non-U.S. Gov't, Phase II, Plasmodium falciparum, pmid:37327809, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, Research Support, Treatment Outcome},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Natama2023,

title = {Associations between prenatal malaria exposure, maternal antibodies at birth, and malaria susceptibility during the first year of life in Burkina Faso},

author = {Hamtandi Magloire Natama and Gemma Moncunill and Marta Vidal and Toussaint Rouamba and Ruth Aguilar and Rebeca Santano and Eduard Rovira-Vallbona and Alfons Jim\'{e}nez and M. Athanase Som\'{e} and Hermann Sorgho and Innocent Val\'{e}a and Maminata Coulibaly-Traor\'{e} and Ross L. Coppel and David Cavanagh and Chetan E. Chitnis and James G. Beeson and Evelina Angov and Sheetij Dutta and Benoit Gamain and Luis Izquierdo and Petra F. Mens and Henk D. F. H. Schallig and Halidou Tinto and Anna Rosanas-Urgell and Carlota Doba\~{n}o},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37754682/},

doi = {10.1128/IAI.00268-23},

issn = {1098-5522},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Infection and immunity},

volume = {91},

issue = {10},

pages = {290},

publisher = {Infect Immun},

abstract = {In this study, we investigated how different categories of prenatal malaria exposure (PME) influence levels of maternal antibodies in cord blood samples and the subsequent risk of malaria in early childhood in a birth cohort study (N = 661) nested within the COSMIC clinical trial (NCT01941264) in Burkina Faso. Plasmodium falciparum infections during pregnancy and infants’ clinical malaria episodes detected during the first year of life were recorded. The levels of maternal IgG and IgG1-4 to 15 P. falciparum antigens were measured in cord blood by quantitative suspension array technology. Results showed a significant variation in the magnitude of maternal antibody levels in cord blood, depending on the PME category, with past placental malaria (PM) more frequently associated with significant increases of IgG and/or subclass levels across three groups of antigens defined as pre-erythrocytic, erythrocytic, and markers of PM, as compared to those from the cord of non-exposed control infants. High levels of antibodies to certain erythrocytic antigens (i.e., IgG to EBA140 and EBA175, IgG1 to EBA175 and MSP142, and IgG3 to EBA140 and MSP5) were independent predictors of protection from clinical malaria during the first year of life. By contrast, high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 to the VAR2CSA DBL1-2 and IgG4 to DBL3-4 were significantly associated with an increased risk of clinical malaria. These findings indicate that PME categories have different effects on the levels of maternal-derived antibodies to malaria antigens in children at birth, and this might drive heterogeneity to clinical malaria susceptibility in early childhood.},

keywords = {Antibodies, Antigens, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Carlota Doba\~{n}o, Child, Cohort Studies, doi:10.1128/iai.00268-23, Falciparum*, Female, Gemma Moncunill, Hamtandi Magloire Natama, Humans, Immunoglobulin G, Infant, Malaria, Malaria* / epidemiology, Maternal Exposure, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, Newborn, NIH, NLM, placenta, Plasmodium falciparum, PMC10580994, pmid:37754682, Pregnancy, Preschool, Protozoan, PubMed Abstract},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sondo2023,

title = {Enhanced effect of seasonal malaria chemoprevention when coupled with nutrients supplementation for preventing malaria in children under 5 years old in Burkina Faso: a randomized open label trial},

author = {Paul Sondo and B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e} and Toussaint Rouamba and Eulalie Compaor\'{e} and Yssimini Nad\`{e}ge Guill\`{e}ne Tibiri and Hyacinthe Abd El Latif Fa\"{i}\c{c}al Kabor\'{e} and Karim Derra and Marc Christian Tahita and Hamidou Ilboudo and Gauthier Tougri and Isma\"{i}la Bouda and Tikanou Dakyo and Hyacinthe Kafando and Florence Ou\'{e}draogo and Eli Rouamba and So Franck Hien and Adama Kazienga and Cheick Sa\"{i}d Compaor\'{e} and Estelle Bambara and Macaire Nana and Prabin Dahal and Franck Garanet and William Kabor\'{e} and Thierry L\'{e}f\`{e}vre and Philippe Guerin and Halidou Tinto},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37853408/},

doi = {10.1186/S12936-023-04745-6},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Malaria journal},

volume = {22},

issue = {1},

publisher = {Malar J},

abstract = {Background: In rural African settings, most of the children under the coverage of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) are also undernourished at the time of SMC delivery, justifying the need for packaging malarial and nutritional interventions. This study aimed at assessing the impact of SMC by coupling the intervention with nutrients supplementation for preventing malaria in children less than 5 years old in Burkina Faso. Methods: A randomized trial was carried out between July 2020 and June 2021 in the health district of Nanoro, Burkina Faso. Children (n = 1059) under SMC coverage were randomly assigned to one of the three study arms SMC + Vitamin A (SMC-A},

keywords = {Antimalarials* / therapeutic use, B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e}, Burkina Faso / epidemiology, Chemoprevention, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dietary Supplements, doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04745-6, Halidou Tinto, Humans, Infant, Malaria* / epidemiology, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Nutrients, Paul Sondo, PMC10585892, pmid:37853408, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Randomized controlled trial, Seasons, Vitamin A / therapeutic use},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {A Bayesian spatio-temporal framework to assess the effect of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on children under 5 years in Cameroon from 2016 to 2021 using routine data},

author = {Arnold Fottsoh Fokam and Toussaint Rouamba and Sekou Samadoulougou and Yazoume Ye and Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37951942/},

doi = {10.1186/S12936-023-04677-1},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Malaria journal},

volume = {22},

issue = {1},

publisher = {Malar J},

abstract = {Background: Malaria affects millions of Cameroonian children under 5 years of age living in the North and Far North regions. These regions bear the greatest burden, particularly for children under 5 years of age. To reduce the burden of disease in these regions, Cameroon adopted the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in 2016 and has implemented it each year since its adoption. However, no previous studies have systematically assessed the effects of this intervention in Cameroon. It is important to understand its effect and whether its implementation could be improved. This study aimed to assess the effect of SMC in Cameroon during the period 2016\textendash2021 on malaria morbidity in children under 5 years of age using routine data. Methods: Data on malaria cases were extracted from the Cameroon Health Monitoring Information System (HMIS) from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021. Health facilities report these data monthly on a single platform, the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2). Thus, a controlled interrupted time-series model in a Bayesian framework was used to evaluate the effects of the SMC on malaria morbidity. Results: SMC implementation was associated with a reduction in the incidence of uncomplicated malaria cases during the high-transmission periods from 2016 to 2021. Regarding the incidence of severe malaria during the high-transmission period, a reduction was found over the period 2016\textendash2019. The highest reduction was registered during the second year of implementation in 2017:15% (95% Credible Interval, 10\textendash19) of uncomplicated malaria cases and 51% (47\textendash54) of confirmed severe malaria cases. Conclusion: The addition of SMC to the malaria intervention package in Cameroon decreased the incidence of uncomplicated and severe malaria among children under 5 years of age. Based on these findings, this study supports the wide implementation of SMC to reduce the malaria burden in Cameroon as well as the use of routine malaria data to monitor the efficiency of the strategy in a timely manner.},

keywords = {Antimalarials* / therapeutic use, Arnold Fottsoh Fokam, Bayes Theorem, Cameroon / epidemiology, Chemoprevention, Child, doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04677-1, Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, Humans, Infant, Malaria* / drug therapy, Malaria* / epidemiology, Malaria* / prevention \& control, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, PMC10640753, pmid:37951942, Preschool, PubMed Abstract, Seasons, Toussaint Rouamba},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {Strong off-target antibody reactivity to malarial antigens induced by RTS,S/AS01E vaccination is associated with protection.},

author = {D\'{i}dac Maci\`{a} and Joseph J. Campo and Gemma Moncunill and Chenjerai Jairoce and Augusto J. Nhabomba and Maximilian Mpina and Hermann Sorgho and David Dosoo and Ousmane Traore and Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi and Nana Aba Williams and Amit Oberai and Arlo Randall and H\`{e}ctor Sanz and Clarissa Valim and Kwaku Poku Asante and Seth Owusu-Agyei and Halidou Tinto and Selidji Todagbe Agnandji and Simon Kariuki and Ben Gyan and Claudia Daubenberger and Benjamin Mordm\"{u}ller and Paula Petrone and Carlota Doba\~{n}o},

doi = {10.1172/jci.insight.158030},

issn = {2379-3708},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-01},

urldate = {2022-05-01},

journal = {JCI insight},

volume = {7},

issue = {10},

abstract = {The RTS,S/AS01E vaccine targets the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of the Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) parasite. Protein microarrays were used to measure levels of IgG against 1000 P. falciparum antigens in 2138 infants (age 6-12 weeks) and children (age 5-17 months) from 6 African sites of the phase III trial, sampled before and at 4 longitudinal visits after vaccination. One month postvaccination, IgG responses to 17% of all probed antigens showed differences between RTS,S/AS01E and comparator vaccination groups, whereas no prevaccination differences were found. A small subset of antigens presented IgG levels reaching 4- to 8-fold increases in the RTS,S/AS01E group, comparable in magnitude to anti-CSP IgG levels (~11-fold increase). They were strongly cross-correlated and correlated with anti-CSP levels, waning similarly over time and reincreasing with the booster dose. Such an intriguing phenomenon may be due to cross-reactivity of anti-CSP antibodies with these antigens. RTS,S/AS01E vaccinees with strong off-target IgG responses had an estimated lower clinical malaria incidence after adjusting for age group, site, and postvaccination anti-CSP levels. RTS,S/AS01E-induced IgG may bind strongly not only to CSP, but also to unrelated malaria antigens, and this seems to either confer, or at least be a marker of, increased protection from clinical malaria.},

keywords = {*Adaptive immunity, *Antigen, *Epidemiology, *Immunology, *Infectious disease, *Malaria, *Malaria Vaccines, *Malaria/prevention \& control, Antibodies, Antigens, Child, Falciparum/prevention \& control, Humans, Immunoglobulin G, Infant, Protozoan, Vaccination},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Phiri2021-oy,

title = {The duration of protection from azithromycin against malaria,  acute respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin infections when  given alongside seasonal malaria chemoprevention: Secondary  analyses of data from a clinical trial in hound\'{e}, Burkina  Faso, and bougouni, Mali},

author = {Mphatso Dennis Phiri and Matthew Cairns and Issaka Zongo and Frederic Nikiema and Modibo Diarra and Rakiswend\'{e} Serge Yerbanga and Amadou Barry and Amadou Tapily and Samba Coumare and Ismaila Thera and Irene Kuepfer and Paul Milligan and Halidou Tinto and Alassane Dicko and Jean Bosco Ou\'{e}draogo and Brian Greenwood and Daniel Chandramohan and Issaka Sagara},

doi = {10.1093/cid/ciaa1905},

issn = {1537-6591 1058-4838},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-10-01},

urldate = {2021-10-01},

journal = {Clin. Infect. Dis.},

volume = {73},

number = {7},

pages = {e2379--e2386},

publisher = {Oxford University Press (OUP)},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin 

 (AZ) is being considered as a strategy to promote child survival 

 in sub-Saharan Africa, but the mechanism by which AZ reduces 

 mortality is unclear. To better understand the nature and extent 

 of protection provided by AZ, we explored the profile of 

 protection by time since administration, using data from a 

 household-randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Burkina Faso 

 and Mali. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2016, 30 977 children aged 

 3-59 months received seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with 

 sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine and either AZ or 

 placebo monthly, on 4 occasions each year. Poisson regression 

 with gamma-distributed random effects, accounting for the 

 household randomization and within-individual clustering of 

 illness episodes, was used to compare incidence of prespecified 

 outcomes between SMC+AZ versus SMC+placebo groups in fixed time 

 strata post-treatment. The likelihood ratio test was used to 

 assess evidence for a time-treatment group interaction. RESULTS: 

 Relative to SMC+placebo, there was no evidence of protection 

 from SMC+AZ against hospital admissions and deaths. Additional 

 protection from SMC+AZ against malaria was confined to the first 

 2 weeks post-administration (protective efficacy (PE): 24.2% 

 [95% CI: 17.8%, 30.1%]). Gastroenteritis and pneumonia were 

 reduced by 29.9% [21.7; 37.3%], and 34.3% [14.9; 49.3%], 

 respectively, in the first 2 weeks postadministration. 

 Protection against nonmalaria fevers with a skin condition 

 persisted up to 28 days: PE: 46.3% [35.1; 55.6%]. CONCLUSIONS: 

 The benefits of AZ-MDA are broad-ranging but short-lived. To 

 maximize impact, timing of AZ-MDA must address the challenge of 

 targeting asynchronous morbidity and mortality peaks from 

 different causes.},

note = {© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

PMID: 33417683 

PMCID: PMC8492219},

keywords = {Antimalarials/therapeutic use, Azithromycin, Azithromycin/therapeutic use, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Chemoprevention, Child, child mortality, Drug Combinations, duration of protection, Humans, Infant, Malaria/drug therapy/epidemiology/prevention \& control, Mali/epidemiology, Preschool, Sahel, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, Seasons},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Roberts2021-gg,

title = {Seasonal patterns of malaria, genital infection, nutritional and  iron status in non-pregnant and pregnant adolescents in Burkina  Faso: a secondary analysis of trial data},

author = {Stephen A Roberts and Loretta Brabin and Halidou Tinto and Sabine Gies and Salou Diallo and Bernard Brabin},

doi = {10.1186/s12889-021-11819-0},

issn = {1471-2458},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

urldate = {2021-09-01},

journal = {BMC Public Health},

volume = {21},

number = {1},

pages = {1764},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Adolescents are considered at high risk of developing iron deficiency. Studies in children indicate that the prevalence of iron deficiency increased with  malaria transmission, suggesting malaria seasonally may drive iron deficiency. This  paper examines monthly seasonal infection patterns of malaria, abnormal vaginal  flora, chorioamnionitis, antibiotic and antimalarial prescriptions, in relation to  changes in iron biomarkers and nutritional indices in adolescents living in a rural  area of Burkina Faso, in order to assess the requirement for seasonal infection  control and nutrition interventions. METHODS: Data collected between April 2011 and  January 2014 were available for an observational seasonal analysis, comprising  scheduled visits for 1949 non-pregnant adolescents (≤19 years), (315 of whom  subsequently became pregnant), enrolled in a randomised trial of periconceptional  iron supplementation. Data from trial arms were combined. Body Iron Stores (BIS)  were calculated using an internal regression for ferritin to allow for inflammation.  At recruitment 11% had low BIS (\< 0 mg/kg). Continuous outcomes were fitted to a  mixed-effects linear model with month, age and pregnancy status as fixed effect  covariates and woman as a random effect. Dichotomous infection outcomes were fitted  with analogous logistic regression models. RESULTS: Seasonal variation in malaria  parasitaemia prevalence ranged between 18 and 70% in non-pregnant adolescents  (P \< 0.001), peaking at 81% in those who became pregnant. Seasonal variation  occurred in antibiotic prescription rates (0.7-1.8 prescriptions/100 weekly visits,  P \< 0.001) and chorioamnionitis prevalence (range 15-68%, P = 0.026). Mucosal  vaginal lactoferrin concentration was lower at the end of the wet season (range  2-22 μg/ml, P \< 0.016), when chorioamnionitis was least frequent. BIS fluctuated  annually by up to 53.2% per year around the mean BIS (5.1 mg/kg(2), range  4.1-6.8 mg/kg), with low BIS (\< 0 mg/kg) of 8.7% in the dry and 9.8% in the wet  seasons (P = 0.36). Median serum transferrin receptor increased during the wet  season (P \< 0.001). Higher hepcidin concentration in the wet season corresponded  with rising malaria prevalence and use of prescriptions, but with no change in BIS.  Mean Body Mass Index and Mid-Upper-Arm-Circumference values peaked mid-dry season  (both P \< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis supports preventive treatment of malaria  among adolescents 15-19 years to decrease their disease burden, especially  asymptomatic malaria. As BIS were adequate in most adolescents despite seasonal  malaria, a requirement for programmatic iron supplementation was not substantiated.},

note = {© 2021. The Author(s).

PMID: 34579679 

PMCID: PMC8477466},

keywords = {Abnormal vaginal flora, Adolescents, Bacterial vaginosis, Body Mass Index, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Child, Female, Humans, Iron, iron biomarkers, Malaria, Malaria/drug therapy/epidemiology, MUAC, Pregnancy, Seasons, Vagina},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Compaore2021-hg,

title = {'Men are not playing their roles', maternal and child nutrition  in Nanoro, Burkina Faso},

author = {Ad\'{e}la"ide Compaor\'{e} and Kadija Ouedraogo and Palwende R Boua and Daniella Watson and Sarah H Kehoe and Marie-Louise Newell and Halidou Tinto and Mary Barker and Hermann Sorgho and INPreP group},

doi = {10.1017/S1368980020003365},

issn = {1475-2727 1368-9800},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-08-01},

urldate = {2021-08-01},

journal = {Public Health Nutr.},

volume = {24},

number = {12},

pages = {3780--3790},

publisher = {Cambridge University Press (CUP)},

abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To collect context-specific insights into maternal 

 and child health and nutrition issues, and to explore potential 

 solutions in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. DESIGN: Eleven focus groups 

 with men and women from eleven communities, facilitated by local 

 researchers. SETTING: The study took place in the Nanoro Health 

 district, in the West-Central part of Burkina Faso. 

 PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six men (18-55 years) and women by age 

 group: 18-25; 26-34 and 35-55 years, participated in the group 

 discussions. RESULTS: Participants described barriers to optimal 

 nutrition of mothers and children related to a range of 

 community factors, with gender inequality as central. Major 

 themes in the discussions are related to poverty and challenges 

 generated by socially and culturally determined gender roles. 

 Sub-themes are women lacking access to food whilst pregnant and 

 having limited access to health care and opportunities to 

 generate income. Although communities believe that food 

 donations should be implemented to overcome this, they also 

 pointed out the need for enhancing their own food production, 

 requiring improved agricultural technologies. Given the 

 important role that women could play in reducing malnutrition, 

 these communities felt they needed to be empowered to do so and 

 supported by men. They also felt that this had to be carried out 

 in the context of an enhanced health care system. CONCLUSIONS: 

 Findings reported here highlight the importance of 

 nutrition-sensitive interventions and women's empowerment in 

 improving maternal and child nutrition. There is a need to 

 integrate a sustainable multi-sectorial approach which goes 

 beyond food support.},

note = {Place: England

PMID: 33000717},

keywords = {Burkina Faso, Child, Child nutrition, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Community perceptions, Empowerment, Female, Humans, Male, Maternal nutrition, Mothers, Nutritional Status, Pregnancy, Qualitative research},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yameogo2021-bb,

title = {Effect of seasonal malaria chemoprevention plus azithromycin on  Plasmodium falciparum transmission: gametocyte infectivity and  mosquito fitness},

author = {Koudraogo Bienvenue Yam\'{e}ogo and Rakiswend\'{e} Serge Yerbanga and Seydou Bienvenu Ouattara and Franck A Yao and Thierry Lef`evre and Issaka Zongo and Frederic Niki`ema and Yves Daniel Compaor\'{e} and Halidou Tinto and Daniel Chandramohan and Brian Greenwood and Adrien M G Belem and Anna Cohuet and Jean Bosco Ou\'{e}draogo},

doi = {10.1186/s12936-021-03855-3},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-27},

urldate = {2021-07-27},

journal = {Malar. J.},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {326},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) consists of administration of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) + amodiaquine (AQ) at monthly intervals to children  during the malaria transmission period. Whether the addition of azithromycin (AZ) to  SMC could potentiate the benefit of the intervention was tested through a  double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The effect of SMC and the  addition of AZ, on malaria transmission and on the life history traits of Anopheles  gambiae mosquitoes have been investigated. METHODS: The study included 438 children  randomly selected from among participants in the SMC + AZ trial and 198 children  from the same area who did not receive chemoprevention. For each participant in the  SMC + AZ trial, blood was collected 14 to 21 days post treatment, examined for the  presence of malaria sexual and asexual stages and provided as a blood meal to An.  gambiae females using a direct membrane-feeding assay. RESULTS: The SMC treatment,  with or without AZ, significantly reduced the prevalence of asexual Plasmodium  falciparum (LRT X(2)(2) = 69, P \< 0.0001) and the gametocyte prevalence (LRT  X(2)(2) = 54, P \< 0.0001). In addition, the proportion of infectious feeds (LRT  X(2)(2) = 61, P \< 0.0001) and the prevalence of oocysts among exposed mosquitoes  (LRT X(2)(2) = 22.8, P \< 0.001) was reduced when mosquitoes were fed on blood from  treated children compared to untreated controls. The addition of AZ to SPAQ was  associated with an increased proportion of infectious feeds (LRT X(2)(1) = 5.2,  P = 0.02), suggesting a significant effect of AZ on gametocyte infectivity. There  was a slight negative effect of SPAQ and SPAQ + AZ on mosquito survival compared to  mosquitoes fed with blood from control children (LRTX(2)(2) = 330, P \< 0.0001).  CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that SMC may contribute to a reduction in human  to mosquito transmission of P. falciparum, and the reduced mosquito longevity  observed for females fed on treated blood may increase the benefit of this  intervention in control of malaria. The addition of AZ to SPAQ in SMC appeared to  enhance the infectivity of gametocytes providing further evidence that this  combination is not an appropriate intervention.},

note = {© 2021. The Author(s).

PMID: 34315475 

PMCID: PMC8314489},

keywords = {Amodiaquine/administration \& dosage, Animals, Antimalarials/administration \& dosage, Chemoprevention, Child, Culicidae/physiology, Drug Combinations, Falciparum/prevention \& control/transmission, Gametocytes, Genetic Fitness, Humans, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum/physiology, Preschool, Pyrimethamine/administration \& dosage, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, Seasons, Sulfadoxine/administration \& dosage, Transmission},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{De_Wit2021-yi,

title = {Nutritional status in young children prior to the malaria  transmission season in Burkina Faso and Mali, and its impact on  the incidence of clinical malaria},

author = {Mariken Wit and Matthew Cairns and Yves Daniel Compaor\'{e} and Issaka Sagara and Irene Kuepfer and Issaka Zongo and Amadou Barry and Modibo Diarra and Amadou Tapily and Samba Coumare and Ismaila Thera and Frederic Nikiema and R Serge Yerbanga and Rosemonde M Guissou and Halidou Tinto and Alassane Dicko and Daniel Chandramohan and Brian Greenwood and Jean Bosco Ouedraogo},

doi = {10.1186/s12936-021-03802-2},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-22},

urldate = {2021-06-22},

journal = {Malar. J.},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {274},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malaria and malnutrition remain major problems in 

 Sahel countries, especially in young children. The direct effect 

 of malnutrition on malaria remains poorly understood, and may 

 have important implications for malaria control. In this study, 

 nutritional status and the association between malnutrition and 

 subsequent incidence of symptomatic malaria were examined in 

 children in Burkina Faso and Mali who received either 

 azithromycin or placebo, alongside seasonal malaria 

 chemoprevention. METHODS: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was 

 measured in all 20,185 children who attended a screening visit 

 prior to the malaria transmission season in 2015. Prior to the 

 2016 malaria season, weight, height and MUAC were measured among 

 4149 randomly selected children. Height-for-age, weight-for-age, 

 weight-for-height, and MUAC-for-age were calculated as 

 indicators of nutritional status. Malaria incidence was measured 

 during the following rainy seasons. Multivariable random effects 

 Poisson models were created for each nutritional indicator to 

 study the effect of malnutrition on clinical malaria incidence 

 for each country. RESULTS: In both 2015 and 2016, nutritional 

 status prior to the malaria season was poor. The most prevalent 

 form of malnutrition in Burkina Faso was being underweight 

 (30.5%; 95% CI 28.6-32.6), whereas in Mali stunting was most 

 prevalent (27.5%; 95% CI 25.6-29.5). In 2016, clinical malaria 

 incidence was 675 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 613-744) in 

 Burkina Faso, and 1245 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 1152-1347) 

 in Mali. There was some evidence that severe stunting was 

 associated with lower incidence of malaria in Mali (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.64-1.02; p = 0.08), but this association was not seen 

 in Burkina Faso. Being moderately underweight tended to be 

 associated with higher incidence of clinical malaria in Burkina Faso (RR 1.27; 95% CI 0.98-1.64; p = 0.07), while this was the 

 case in Mali for moderate wasting (RR 1.27; 95% CI 0.98-1.64; p = 0.07). However, these associations were not observed in 

 severely affected children, nor consistent between countries. 

 MUAC-for-age was not associated with malaria risk. CONCLUSIONS: 

 Both malnutrition and malaria were common in the study areas, 

 high despite high coverage of seasonal malaria chemoprevention 

 and long-lasting insecticidal nets. However, no strong or 

 consistent evidence was found for an association between any of 

 the nutritional indicators and the subsequent incidence of 

 clinical malaria.},

note = {PMID: 34158054 

PMCID: PMC8220741},

keywords = {Acute malnutrition, Antimalarials/administration \& dosage, Azithromycin/administration \& dosage, Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Child, Chronic malnutrition, Female, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Malaria, Malaria/epidemiology/transmission, Male, Nutritional Status, Preschool, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, Seasons},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Post2021-oo,

title = {Altered ex-vivo cytokine responses in children with asymptomatic  Plasmodium falciparum infection in Burkina Faso: An additional  argument to treat asymptomatic malaria?},

author = {Annelies Post and Berenger Kabor\'{e} and Mike Berendsen and Salou Diallo and Ousmane Traore and Rob J W Arts and Mihai G Netea and Leo A B Joosten and Halidou Tinto and Jan Jacobs and Quirijn Mast and Andr\'{e} Ven},

doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2021.614817},

issn = {1664-3224},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-09},

urldate = {2021-06-09},

journal = {Front. Immunol.},

volume = {12},

pages = {614817},

publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},

abstract = {Introduction: Patients with clinical malaria have an increased 

 risk for bacterial bloodstream infections. We hypothesized that 

 asymptomatic malaria parasitemia increases susceptibility for 

 bacterial infections through an effect on the innate immune 

 system. We measured circulating cytokine levels and ex-vivo 

 cytokine production capacity in asymptomatic malaria and 

 compared with controls. Methods: Data were collected from 

 asymptomatic participants \<5 years old with and without positive 

 malaria microscopy, as well as from hospitalized patients \<5 

 years old with clinical malaria, bacteremia, or 

 malaria/bacteremia co-infections in a malaria endemic region of 

 Burkina Faso. Circulating cytokines (TNF-$alpha$, IFN-$gamma$, 

 IL-6, IL-10) were measured using multiplex assays. Whole blood 

 from asymptomatic participants with and without positive malaria 

 microscopy were ex-vivo stimulated with S. aureus, E. coli LPS 

 and Salmonella Typhimurium; cytokine concentrations 

 (TNF-$alpha$, IFN-$gamma$, IL-1$beta$, IL-6, IL-10) were 

 measured on supernatants using ELISA. Results: Included were children with clinical malaria (n=118), bacteremia (n=22), malaria and bacteremia co-infection (n=9), asymptomatic malaria (n=125), and asymptomatic controls (n=237). Children with either 

 clinical or asymptomatic malaria had higher plasma cytokine 

 concentrations than controls. Cytokine concentrations correlated 

 positively with malaria parasite density with the strongest correlation for IL-10 in both asymptomatic (r=0.63) and clinical malaria (r=0.53). Patients with bacteremia had lower circulating 

 IL-10, TNF-$alpha$ and IFN-$gamma$ and higher IL-6 

 concentrations, compared to clinical malaria. Ex-vivo whole 

 blood cytokine production to LPS and S. aureus was significantly 

 lower in asymptomatic malaria compared to controls. Whole blood 

 IFN-$gamma$ and IL-10 production in response to Salmonella was 

 also lower in asymptomatic malaria. Interpretation: In children 

 with asymptomatic malaria, cytokine responses upon ex-vivo 

 bacterial stimulation are downregulated. Further studies are 

 needed to explore if the suggested impaired innate immune 

 response to bacterial pathogens also translates into impaired 

 control of pathogens such as Salmonella spp.},

note = {Copyright © 2021 Post, Kabor\'{e}, Berendsen, Diallo, Traore, Arts, Netea, Joosten, Tinto, Jacobs, de Mast and van der Ven.

PMID: 34177883 

PMCID: PMC8220162},

keywords = {Asymptomatic Diseases, asymptomatic malaria, bacteraemia, Bacteremia, bloodstream infection, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Cells, Child, Cultured, Cytokines/metabolism, Endemic Diseases, Female, Humans, Infant, iNTS, Lipopolysaccharides/immunology, Malaria/epidemiology/immunology, Male, Parasite Load, Plasmodium falciparum/physiology, Preschool, Salmonella},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sondo2021-kc,

title = {Assessment of a combined strategy of seasonal malaria  chemoprevention and supplementation with vitamin A, zinc and  Plumpy'Doz™ to prevent malaria and malnutrition in children  under 5 years old in Burkina Faso: a randomized open-label trial  (SMC-NUT)},

author = {Paul Sondo and Marc Christian Tahita and Toussaint Rouamba and Karim Derra and B\'{e}renger Kabor\'{e} and Cheick Sa"id Compaor\'{e} and Florence Ou\'{e}draogo and Eli Rouamba and Hamidou Ilboudo and Estelle A"issa Bambara and Macaire Nana and Edmond Yabr\'{e} Sawadogo and Hermann Sorgho and Athanase Mwinessobaonfou Som\'{e} and Innocent Val\'{e}a and Prabin Dahal and Maminata Traor\'{e}/Coulibaly and Halidou Tinto},

doi = {10.1186/s13063-021-05320-7},

issn = {1745-6215},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-24},

urldate = {2021-05-24},

journal = {Trials},

volume = {22},

number = {1},

pages = {360},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malaria and malnutrition represent major public 

 health concerns worldwide especially in Sub-Sahara Africa. 

 Despite implementation of seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis 

 (SMC), an intervention aimed at reducing malaria incidence among 

 children aged 3-59 months, the burden of malaria and associated 

 mortality among children below age 5 years remains high in 

 Burkina Faso. Malnutrition, in particular micronutrient 

 deficiency, appears to be one of the potential factors that can 

 negatively affect the effectiveness of SMC. Treating 

 micronutrient deficiencies is known to reduce the incidence of 

 malaria in highly prevalent malaria zone such as rural settings. 

 Therefore, we hypothesized that a combined strategy of SMC 

 together with a daily oral nutrients supplement will enhance the 

 immune response and decrease the incidence of malaria and 

 malnutrition among children under SMC coverage. METHODS: 

 Children (6-59 months) under SMC coverage receiving vitamin A 

 supplementation will be randomly assigned to one of the three 

 study arms (a) SMC + vitamin A alone, (b) SMC + vitamin A + 

 zinc, or (c) SMC + vitamin A + Plumpy'Doz™ using 1:1:1 

 allocation ratio. After each SMC monthly distribution, children 

 will be visited at home to confirm drug administration and 

 followed-up for 1 year. Anthropometric indicators will be 

 recorded at each visit and blood samples will be collected for 

 microscopy slides, haemoglobin measurement, and spotted onto 

 filter paper for further PCR analyses. The primary outcome 

 measure is the incidence of malaria in each arm. Secondary 

 outcome measures will include mid-upper arm circumference and 

 weight gain from baseline measurements, coverage and compliance 

 to SMC, occurrence of adverse events (AEs), and prevalence of 

 molecular markers of antimalarial resistance comprising Pfcrt, 

 Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps. DISCUSSION: This study will 

 demonstrate an integrated strategy of malaria and malnutrition 

 programmes in order to mutualize resources for best impact. By 

 relying on existing strategies, the policy implementation of 

 this joint intervention will be scalable at country and regional 

 levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04238845 . 

 Registered on 23 January 2020 

 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04238845.},

note = {PMID: 34030705 

PMCID: PMC8142067},

keywords = {Antimalarials/adverse effects, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Chemoprevention, Child, Child Nutrition Disorders, Dietary Supplements, Humans, Infant, Malaria, Malaria/diagnosis/epidemiology/prevention \& control, Malnutrition, Malnutrition/diagnosis/drug therapy/prevention \& control, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Plumpy’Doz™, Preschool, Randomized controlled trial, Seasonal chemoprevention, Seasons, Vitamin A, Vitamin A/adverse effects, Zinc},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bognini2021-mk,

title = {Socioeconomic inequalities in curative healthcare-seeking for  children under five before and after the free healthcare  initiative in Sierra Leone: analysis of population-based survey  data},

author = {Joel D Bognini and Sekou Samadoulougou and Mady Ouedraogo and Tiga David Kangoye and Carine Van Malderen and Halidou Tinto and Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou},

doi = {10.1186/s12939-021-01474-7},

issn = {1475-9276},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-21},

urldate = {2021-05-21},

journal = {Int. J. Equity Health},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {124},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic inequalities between and within countries lead to disparities in the use of health services. These disparities could lead to child  mortality in children under 5 years by depriving them of healthcare. Therefore,  initiatives to remove healthcare fees such as the Free Healthcare Initiative (FHCI)  adopted in Sierra Leone can contribute to reducing these inequities in  healthcare-seeking for children. This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic  inequalities in healthcare-seeking for children under 5 years of age before and  after the implementation of the FHCI. METHODS: Data were included on 1207, 2815,  1633, and 1476 children under 5 years of age with fever from the 2008, 2013, 2016,  and 2019 nationwide surveys, respectively. Concentration curves were drawn for the  period before (2008) and after (2013-2019) the implementation of the FHCI to assess  socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare-seeking. Finally, Erreyger's corrected  concentration indices were calculated to understand the magnitude of these  inequalities. RESULTS: Before the implementation of the FHCI, there were  inequalities in healthcare-seeking for children under five (Erreyger's corrected  concentration index (CI) = 0.168, standard error (SE) = 0.049; p \< 0.001) in favor  of the wealthy households. These inequalities decreased after the implementation of  the FHCI (CI = 0.061, SE = 0.033; p = 0.06 in 2013, CI = 0.039, SE = 0.04; p = 0.32  in 2016, and CI = - 0.0005, SE = 0.362; p = 0.98 in 2019). Furthermore, before the  implementation of the FHCI, a significant pro-rich inequality in the districts of  Kenema (CI = 0.117, SE = 0.168, p = 0.021), Kono (CI = 0.175, SE = 0.078, p = 0.028)  and Western Area Urban (CI = 0.070, SE = 0.032, p = 0.031) has been observed. After  the implementation of the FHCI in 2019, these disparities were reduced, 11 of the 14  districts had a CI around the value of equality, and only in 2 districts the  pro-rich inequality were significant (Western Area Urban (CI = 0.035, SE = 0.016,  p = 0.039) and Western Area Rural (CI = 0.066, SE = 0.030, p = 0.027)). CONCLUSION:  The results of this study demonstrated that socio-economic inequalities in  healthcare-seeking for children have been considerably reduced after the FHCI in  Sierra Leone. To further reduce these inequalities, policy actions can focus on the  increase of availability of health services in the districts where the  healthcare-seeking remained pro-rich.},

note = {PMID: 34020665 

PMCID: PMC8140517},

keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Child, Children under five, Delivery of Health Care/economics, Female, Health Care Surveys, Healthcare Disparities/economics/statistics \& numerical data, Healthcare utilization, Humans, Infant, Male, Parents/psychology, Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics \& numerical data, Preschool, Sierra Leone, Socioeconomic Factors, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Adoke2021-el,

title = {A randomized, double-blind, phase 2b study to investigate the  efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a  single-dose regimen of ferroquine with artefenomel in adults and  children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria},

author = {Yeka Adoke and Rella Zoleko-Manego and Serge Ouoba and Alfred B Tiono and Grace Kaguthi and Juv^encio Eduardo Bonzela and Tran Thanh Duong and Alain Nahum and Marielle Bouyou-Akotet and Bernhards Ogutu and Alphonse Ouedraogo and Fiona Macintyre and Andreas Jessel and Bart Laurijssens and Mohammed H Cherkaoui-Rbati and Cathy Cantalloube and Anne Claire Marrast and Rapha"el Bejuit and David White and Timothy N C Wells and Florian Wartha and Didier Leroy and Afizi Kibuuka and Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma and Daouda Ouattara and Ir`ene Mugenya and Bui Quang Phuc and Francis Bohissou and Denise P Mawili-Mboumba and Fredrick Olewe and Issiaka Soulama and Halidou Tinto and FALCI Study Group},

doi = {10.1186/s12936-021-03749-4},

issn = {1475-2875},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-19},

urldate = {2021-05-19},

journal = {Malar. J.},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {222},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: For uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, 

 highly efficacious single-dose treatments are expected to 

 increase compliance and improve treatment outcomes, and thereby 

 may slow the development of resistance. The efficacy and safety 

 of a single-dose combination of artefenomel (800 mg) plus 

 ferroquine (400/600/900/1200 mg doses) for the treatment of 

 uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were evaluated in Africa 

 (focusing on children $\leq$ 5 years) and Asia. METHODS: The 

 study was a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, multi-arm 

 clinical trial in patients aged \> 6 months to 5 years and 20 

 Asian patients. None of the treatment arms met the target 

 efficacy criterion for PCR-adjusted ACPR at Day 28 (lower limit 

 of 95% confidence interval [CI] \> 90%). PCR-adjusted ACPR at 

 Day 28 [95% CI] in the PP Set ranged from 78.4% [64.7; 88.7%] 

 to 91.7% [81.6; 97.2%] for the 400 mg to 1200 mg ferroquine 

 dose. Efficacy rates were low in Vietnamese patients, ranging 

 from 20 to 40%. A clear relationship was found between drug 

 exposure (artefenomel and ferroquine concentrations at Day 7) 

 and efficacy (primary endpoint), with higher concentrations of 

 both drugs resulting in higher efficacy. Six distinct kelch-13 

 mutations were detected in parasite isolates from 10/272 African 

 patients (with 2 mutations known to be associated with 

 artemisinin resistance) and 18/20 Asian patients (all C580Y 

 mutation). Vomiting within 6 h of initial artefenomel 

 administration was common (24.6%) and associated with lower 

 drug exposures. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of 

 artefenomel/ferroquine combination was suboptimal in African 

 children aged $\leq$ 5 years, the population of interest, and 

 vomiting most likely had a negative impact on efficacy. Trial 

 registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02497612. Registered 14 Jul 

 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02497612?term=NCT02497612\&draw=2\&rank=1.},

note = {PMID: 34011358 

PMCID: PMC8135182},

keywords = {Adamantane/administration \& dosage/analogs \& derivatives, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aminoquinolines/administration \& dosage, Benin, Burkina Faso, C580Y, Child, Combination treatment, Double-Blind Method, Drug Combinations, Exposure\textendashresponse, Falciparum/prevention \& control, Female, Ferroquine, Ferrous Compounds/administration \& dosage, Gabon, Humans, Infant, Kelch-13 mutation, Kenya, Malaria, Male, Metallocenes/administration \& dosage, Middle Aged, Mozambique, Parasite clearance, Peroxides/administration \& dosage, Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects, Preschool, resistance, Uganda, Vietnam, Vomiting, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lompo2021-sk,

title = {Pathogens associated with acute diarrhea, and comorbidity with  malaria among children under five years old in rural Burkina  Faso},

author = {Palpouguini Lompo and Marc Christian Tahita and Hermann Sorgho and William Kabor\'{e} and Adama Kazienga and Ashmed Cheick Bachirou Nana and Hamtandi Magloire Natama and Isidore Juste Ouindgueta Bonkoungou and Nicolas Barro and Halidou Tinto},

doi = {10.11604/pamj.2021.38.259.15864},

issn = {1937-8688},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-01},

urldate = {2021-03-01},

journal = {Pan Afr. Med. J.},

volume = {38},

pages = {259},

publisher = {Pan African Medical Journal},

abstract = {INTRODUCTION: acute diarrhea in children under five years is a public health problem in developing countries and particularly in malaria-endemic areas where both  diseases co-exist. The present study examined the etiology of childhood diarrhea and  its comorbidity with malaria in a rural area of Burkina Faso. 

METHODS: conventional  culture techniques, direct stools examination, and viruses´ detection by rapid tests  were performed on the fresh stools and microscopy was used to diagnose malaria. Some  risk factors were also assessed. RESULTS: on a total of 191 samples collected, at  least one pathogen was identified in 89 cases (46.6%). The proportions of pathogens  found on the 89 positive stool samples were parasites 51.69% (46 cases), viruses  39.33% (35 cases), and bacteria 14.61% (13 cases), respectively. The relationship  between malaria and infectious diarrhea was significant in viral and parasites  causes (p=0.005 and 0.043 respectively). Fever, vomiting and abdominal pain were the  major symptoms associated with diarrhea, with 71.51%, 31.72% and 23.66%  respectively. The highest viral diarrhea prevalence was reported during the dry  season (OR=5.29, 95% CI: 1.74 - 16.07, p=0.001) while parasite diarrhea was more  encountered during the rainy season (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.87, p=0.011).  CONCLUSION: Giardia spp and rotavirus were the leading cause of acute diarrhea in  Nanoro, Burkina Faso with a predominance of rotavirus in children less than 2 years.  Parasite and viral diarrhea were the most pathogens associated with malaria.  However, the high rate of negative stool samples suggests the need to determine  other enteric microorganisms.},

note = {Copyright: Palpouguini Lompo et al.

PMID: 34104307 

PMCID: PMC8164431},

keywords = {Abdominal Pain/epidemiology, Acute Disease, bacteria, Burkina Faso, Burkina Faso/epidemiology, Child, Comorbidity, Diarrhea, Diarrhea/epidemiology/microbiology, Female, Fever/epidemiology, Giardiasis/epidemiology, Humans, Infant, infectious, Malaria, Malaria/epidemiology, Male, parasite, pathogens, Preschool, Prevalence, Risk Factors, rotavirus, Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology, Rural Population, Seasons, Vomiting/epidemiology},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Post2021-zl,

title = {Infection Manager System (IMS) as a new hemocytometry-based  bacteremia detection tool: A diagnostic accuracy study in a  malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso},

author = {Annelies Post and Berenger Kabor\'{e} and Joel Bognini and Salou Diallo and Palpouguini Lompo and Basile Kam and Natacha Herssens and Fred Opzeeland and Christa E Gaast-de Jongh and Jeroen D Langereis and Marien I Jonge and Janette Rahamat-Langendoen and Teun Bousema and Heiman Wertheim and Robert W Sauerwein and Halidou Tinto and Jan Jacobs and Quirijn Mast and Andre J Ven},

doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0009187},

issn = {1935-2735 1935-2727},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-01},

urldate = {2021-03-01},

journal = {PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis.},

volume = {15},

number = {3},

pages = {e0009187},

publisher = {Public Library of Science (PLoS)},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: New hemocytometric parameters can be used to 

 differentiate causes of acute febrile illness (AFI). We 

 evaluated a software algorithm-Infection Manager System 

 (IMS)-which uses hemocytometric data generated by Sysmex 

 hematology analyzers, for its accuracy to detect bacteremia in 

 AFI patients with and without malaria in Burkina Faso. Secondary 

 aims included comparing the accuracy of IMS with C-reactive 

 protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). METHODS: In a prospective 

 observational study, patients of $geq$ three-month-old (range 3 

 months- 90 years) presenting with AFI were enrolled. IMS, blood 

 culture and malaria diagnostics were done upon inclusion and 

 additional diagnostics on clinical indication. CRP, PCT, viral 

 multiplex PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs and bacterial- and malaria 

 PCR were batch-tested retrospectively. Diagnostic classification 

 was done retrospectively using all available data except IMS, 

 CRP and PCT results. FINDINGS: A diagnosis was affirmed in 549/914 (60.1%) patients and included malaria (n = 191) bacteremia (n = 69), viral infections (n = 145), and malaria-bacteremia co-infections (n = 47). The overall 

 sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 

 IMS for detection of bacteremia in patients of $geq$ 5 years 

 were 97.0% (95% CI: 89.8-99.6), 68.2% (95% CI: 55.6-79.1) 

 and 95.7% (95% CI: 85.5-99.5) respectively, compared to 93.9% 

 (95% CI: 85.2-98.3), 39.4% (95% CI: 27.6-52.2), and 86.7% 

 (95% CI: 69.3-96.2) for CRP at $geq$20mg/L. The sensitivity, 

 specificity and NPV of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were lower at 

 respectively 72.7% (95% CI: 60.4-83.0), 50.0% (95% CI: 

 37.4-62.6) and 64.7% (95% CI: 50.1-77.6) The diagnostic 

 accuracy of IMS was lower among malaria cases and patients \<5 

 years but remained equal to- or higher than the accuracy of CRP. 

 INTERPRETATION: IMS is a new diagnostic tool to differentiate 

 causes of AFI. Its high NPV for bacteremia has the potential to 

 improve antibiotic dispensing practices in healthcare facilities 

 with hematology analyzers. Future studies are needed to evaluate 

 whether IMS, combined with malaria diagnostics, may be used to 

 rationalize antimicrobial prescription in malaria endemic areas. 

 TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669823) 

 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02669823.},

note = {PMID: 33647009 

PMCID: PMC7951874},

keywords = {Adolescent, Automation, Bacteremia/diagnosis, Burkina Faso, C-Reactive Protein/analysis, Child, Coinfection/diagnosis/microbiology/parasitology, Female, Fever of Unknown Origin/diagnosis, Humans, Infant, Laboratory/methods, Malaria/diagnosis, Male, Preschool, Procalcitonin/analysis, Prospective Studies, Sensitivity and Specificity, Software, Virus Diseases/diagnosis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}