A population-based study on incidence and economic burden of influenza-like illness in south China, 2007.

OBJECTIVES: The disease burden of influenza-like illness (ILI) in most tropical and subtropical countries has not been described adequately to date. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and incidence of ILI, and to assess the economic burden in south China. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: A population-based household survey was conducted quarterly in 2007 in Guangdong Province. RESULTS: The average number of subjects in each quarterly survey was 13,687. In total, 1002 cases of self-reported ILI were identified in all four surveys, indicating an annual incidence of 7.23 cases of ILI per 100 persons. The second quarter had the highest incidence of ILI (2.83 cases per 100 persons). Children aged 1-4 years, <1 year and 5-9 years had the highest annual incidence rates of ILI (49.87, 35.19 and 21.24 cases per 100 persons, respectively). The incidence of ILI was significantly higher in males than females (P < 0.001), and significantly higher in rural residents than urban residents (P < 0.001). The individual cost per episode of ILI represented approximately 20% of monthly per-capita income of residents. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this large-scale household study confirm that ILI places a substantial health and economic burden on south China. Ultimately, the results of this study will provide further information for understanding the disease burden of influenza in subtropical areas.

[In vivo sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to piperaquine phosphate assayed in Linshui and Baisha counties, Hainan Province].

Fifty-three cases of falciparum malaria in Linshui County, Baisha County and Sanya Municipality were treated with piperaquine phosphate at a total dose of 1.5g base over 3 days in July to December, 1986. The mean defervescence time was 36 +/- 20.7h; the mean asexual parasite clearance time was 69.7 +/- 20.9h. At 14-28d follow-up recrudescence was observed with asexual parasitemia in 7 of the 47 cases, showing RI resistance to piperaquine. Gametocytemia was positive in 35 cases (74.5%) during the follow-up period.

[Therapeutic effect of pyronaridine in plain tablets and enteric-coated tablets in falciparum malaria patients].

A new oral dosage regimen and formulation of pyronaridine basing on the pharmacokinetic studies and a theoretical dosage regimen reported previously, was clinically evaluated for its therapeutic and undesirable effects on falciparum malaria patients in west Hainan Province, where chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria was prevalent. 32 cases were treated with pyronaridine by the new dosage regimen of 0.5 g in d1, and 0.3g in d2 in plain tablets (group A), while additional 32 patients received enteric-coated tablets of pyronaridine by the current dosage regimen as a control (group B), which was 0.4 g x 2 on d1, and 0.4g on d2. The average fever clearance time for A and B groups was 27.0 +/- 14.1 and 30.2 +/- 13.8h respectively (P greater than 0.05), and the clearance time for asexual parasites was 57.2 +/- 10.2 and 57.9 +/- 8.7h. Upon 28d following-up examination the cure rates were found to be 100% in group A and 93.8% in group B. The undesirable responses were recorded in 18.8% of group A patients (6/32), and 28.1% of group B (9/32) respectively, and they were light and tolerable and short in time duration. It was shown that the new dosage regimen of pyronaridine could retain the same therapeutic effect as that currently used, although the total dose was reduced by one third. Hence, an important basis was provided for more rational use and further study of pyronaridine in malaria therapy.