Putative molecular markers of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs in malaria parasites from Ghana.

Introduction: Antimalarial drugs including artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) regimens and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) are used in Ghana for malaria therapeutics and prophylaxis respectively. The genetic basis of Plasmodium falciparum development of drug resistance involves single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins for multiple cellular and metabolic processes. The prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in nine P. falciparum genes linked to ACT and SP resistance in the malaria parasite population was determined. Methods: Archived filter paper blood blot samples from patients aged 9 years and below with uncomplicated malaria reporting at 10 sentinel sites located in three ecological zones for the Malaria Therapeutic Efficacy Studies were used. The samples used were collected from 2007-2018 malaria transmission seasons and mutations in the genes were detected using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results: In all 1,142 samples were used for the study. For falcipain-2 gene (pffp2), Sanger sequencing was successful for 872 samples and were further analysed. The prevalence of the mutants was 45% (392/872) with pffp2 markers V51I and S59F occurring in 15.0% (128/872) and 3.0% (26/872) of the samples respectively. Prevalence of other P. falciparum gene mutations: coronin (pfcoronin) was 44.8% (37/90); cysteine desulfurase (pfnfs) was 73.9% (68/92); apicoplast ribosomal protein S10 (pfarps10) was 36.8% (35/95); ferredoxin (pffd) was 8.8% (8/91); multidrug resistance protein-1 (pfmrp1) was 95.2.0% (80/84); multidrug resistance protein-2 (pfmrp2) was 91.4% (32/35); dihydrofolate reductase (pfdhfr) was 99.0% (84/85); dihydropteroate synthase (pfdhps) was 72% (68/95). Discussion: The observation of numerous mutations in these genes of interest in the Ghanaian isolates, some of which have been implicated in delayed parasite clearance is of great interest. The presence of these genotypes may account for the decline in the efficacies of ACT regimens being used to treat uncomplicated malaria in the country. The need for continuous monitoring of these genetic markers to give first-hand information on parasite susceptibility to antimalarial drugs to inform policy makers and stakeholders in malaria elimination in the country is further discussed.

Investigating Environmental Determinants of Soil-Transmitted Helminths Transmission using GPS Tracking and Metagenomics Technologies.

Background: The Global Health community aims to eliminate soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by 2030. Current preventive methods such as Mass Drug Administration, WASH practices, and health education needs to be complimented to halt transmission. We tracked the movement of hookworm-infected and non-infected persons and investigated soil factors in the places they frequented within an endemic community to further understand the role of human movement and sources of infections. Methods: 59 positive and negative participants wore GPS tracking devices for 10 consecutive days and their movement data captured in real time. The data was overlaid on the community map to determine where each group differentially spent most of their time. Soil samples were collected from these identified sites and other communal places. Physical and chemical properties were determined for each sample using standard methods and helminth eggs cultured into larvae using the Baermann technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine associations between larvae counts and soil factors. Helminth species were identified with metagenomic sequencing and their distributions mapped to sampling sites in the community. Results: The study found that there was no significant difference in the average larvae counts in soil between sites assessed by infected and non-infected participants (P=0.59). However, soil factors, such as pH, carbon and sandy-loamy texture were associated with high larvae counts (P<0.001) while nitrogen and clay content were associated with low counts(P<0.001). The dominant helminth species identified were Panagrolaimus superbus (an anhydrobiotic helminth), Parastrongyloides trichosuri (a parasite of small mammals), Trichuris trichuria (whipworm), and Ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm). Notably, no Necator americanus was identified in any soil sample. Conclusion: This study provides important insights into the association between soil factors and soil-transmitted helminths. These findings contribute to our understanding of STH epidemiology and support evidence-based decision-making for elimination strategies.

Modeling SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and its determinants in Ghana: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey.

Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have significant public health policy implications since they shed light on the severity of illness in various groups and aid in strategic deployment of diagnostics, treatment and vaccination. Population-based investigations have not been conducted in Ghana to identify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an age stratified nationally representative household study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and identify risk factors between February and December 2021. Study participants, 5 years and older regardless of prior or current infection COVID-19 infection from across Ghana were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, contact with an individual with COVID-19-related symptoms, history of COVID-19-related illness, and adherence to infection prevention measures were collected. Serum obtained was tested for total antibodies with the WANTAI ELISA kit. The presence of antibodies against SAR-COV-2 was detected in 3,476 of 5,348 participants, indicating a seroprevalence of 67.10% (95% CI: 63.71-66.26). Males had lower seroprevalence (65.8% [95% CI: 63.5-68.04]) than females (68.4% [95% CI: 66.10-69.92]). Seroprevalence was lowest in >20 years (64.8% [95% CI: 62.36-67.19]) and highest among young adults; 20-39 years (71.1% [95% CI 68.83,73.39]). Seropositivity was associated with education, employment status and geographic location. Vaccination status in the study population was 10%. Exposure is more likely in urban than rural areas thus infection prevention protocols must be encouraged and maintained. Also, promoting vaccination in target groups and in rural areas is necessary to curb transmission of the virus.

Strengthening surveillance in Ghana against public health emergencies of international concern.

Among western African countries, the Republic of Ghana has maintained an economic growth rate of 5% since the 1980s and is now categorized as a middle-income country. However, as with other developing countries, Ghana still has challenges in the effective implementation of surveillance for infectious diseases. Facing public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC), it is crucial to establish a reliable sample transportation system to the referral laboratory. Previously, surveillance capacity in Ghana was limited based on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, and therefore the "Surveillance and Laboratory Support for Emerging Pathogens of Public Health Importance in Ghana (SLEP)" was introduced to strengthen diarrhea surveillance. The SLEP project started with a sentinel diarrhea survey supported by SATREPS/JICA in collaboration with National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NHPRL) and Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medicine (NMIMR). The base-line survey revealed the limited capacity to detect diarrhea pathogens and to transfer samples from health centers to NHPRL. The involvement of private clinic/hospital facilities into the surveillance network is also crucial to strengthen surveillance in Ghana. The strong and interactive relationship between the two top referral laboratories, NHPRL under the Ministry of Health NMIMR and under the Ministry of Education, enables Ghana Health Services and is critical for the rapid response against PHEIC. In future, we hope that the outcome of the SLEP surveillance project could contribute to building a surveillance network with more timely investigation and transfer of samples to referral labs.

Diarrhea-Causing Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Resistance Patterns Among Diarrhea Patients From Ghana.

Diarrheal disease remains a major global health problem particularly in children under 5 years and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of causative pathogens could slow control efforts, particularly in settings where treatment options are limited. This surveillance study conducted in Ghana aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of diarrhea-causing bacteria. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in five health facilities in the Ga West Municipality of Ghana between 2017 and 2021. Diarrheic stool samples from patients were collected and cultured on standard differential/selective media and isolates identified by standard biochemical tests, MALDI-TOF assay, and serological analysis. The antibiogram was determined using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and Microscan autoScan4 MIC panels which were used for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) detection. Bacteria were isolated from 97.5% (772/792) of stool samples, and 167 of the isolates were diarrheagenic and met our inclusion criteria for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis. These included Escherichia coli (49.1%, 82/167), Salmonella species (23.9%, 40/167), Vibrio species (16.8%, 28/167), and Shigella species (10.2%, 17/167). Among 24 Vibrio species, we observed resistances to cefotaxime (21/24, 87.5%), ceftriaxone (20/24, 83.3%), and ciprofloxacin (6/24, 25%), including four multi-drug resistant isolates. All 13 Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates were resistant to cefazolin. All 17 Shigella isolates were resistant to tetracycline with resistance to shigellosis drugs such as norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Salmonella isolates were highly susceptible to norfloxacin (40/40, 100%) and tetracycline (12/34, 35%). Two ESBL-producing E. coli were also identified with marked susceptibility to gentamicin (66/72, 91.7%) and amikacin (57/72, 79.2%) prescribed in the treatment of E. coli infections. This study showed the different bacteria implicated in diarrhea cases in Ghana and the need for differential diagnoses for better treatment outcomes. Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella, and Vibrio have all been implicated in diarrhea cases in Ghana. The highest prevalence was E. coli and Salmonella with Shigella the least prevalent. Resistance to commonly used drugs found in these isolates may render bacteria infection treatment in the near future nearly impossible. Routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing, effective monitoring, and nationwide surveillance of AMR pathogens should be implemented to curb the increase of antimicrobial resistance in Ghana.

Novel pfk13 polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum population in Ghana.

The molecular determinants of Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistance are the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the parasite's kelch propeller domain, pfk13. Validated and candidate markers are under surveillance in malaria endemic countries using artemisinin-based combination therapy. However, pfk13 mutations which may confer parasite artemisinin resistance in Africa remains elusive. It has therefore become imperative to report all observed pfk13 gene polymorphisms in malaria therapeutic efficacy studies for functional characterization. We herein report all novel pfk13 mutations observed only in the Ghanaian parasite population. In all, 977 archived samples from children aged 12 years and below with uncomplicated malaria from 2007 to 2017 were used. PCR/Sanger sequencing analysis revealed 78% (763/977) of the samples analyzed were wild type (WT) for pfk13 gene. Of the 214 (22%) mutants, 78 were novel mutations observed only in Ghana. The novel SNPs include R404G, P413H, N458D/H/I, C473W/S, R529I, M579T/Y, C580R/V, D584L, N585H/I, Q661G/L. Some of the mutations were sites and ecological zones specific. There was low nucleotide diversity and purifying selection at the pfk13 locus in Ghanaian parasite population. With increasing drug pressure and its consequent parasite resistance, documenting these mutations as baseline data is crucial for future molecular surveillance of P. falciparum resistance to artemisinin in Ghana.

Therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine combination for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana.

In 2020, Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DHAP) was adopted as a second-line antimalarial for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana following a review of the country's antimalarial medicines policy. Available data obtained in 2007 had shown PCR-uncorrected therapeutic efficacy of 93.3% using a 28-day follow-up schedule. In 2020, the standard 42-day follow-up schedule for DHAP was used to estimate efficacy levels among febrile children aged 6 months to 9 years in three malaria sentinel sites representing the three main ecological zones of the country- savannah, forest, and coastal. PCR genotyping distinguished between recrudescence and re-infection using merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2)-specific primers for FC27 and 3D7 strains. Per protocol analyses showed day 28 efficacy of 100% in all three sentinel sites with day 42 PCR-corrected efficacy ranging between 90.3% (95% CI: 80.1 - 96.4%) in the savannah zone and 100% in the forest and coastal zones, yielding a national average of 97.0% (95% CI: 93.4 - 98.8). No day 3 parasitemia was observed in all three sites. Prevalence of measured fever (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C) declined from 50.0 - 98.8% on day 0 to 7.1-11.5% on day 1 whilst parasitemia declined from 100% on day 0 to 1.2 - 2.3% on day 1. Mean haemoglobin levels on days 28 and 42 were significantly higher than pre-treatment levels in all three sites. We conclude that DHAP is highly efficacious in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. This data will serve as baseline for subsequent DHAP efficacy studies in the country.

Trends and predictive factors for treatment failure following artemisinin-based combination therapy among children with uncomplicated malaria in Ghana: 2005-2018.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Ghana in 2005 there has been a surveillance system by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the University of Ghana Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (UG-NMIMR) to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of ACTs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in the country. We report trends and determinants of failure following treatment of Ghanaian children with artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) combinations. METHODS: Per protocol analyses as well as cumulative incidence of day 28 treatment failure from Kaplan Meier survival analyses were used to describe trends of failure over the surveillance period of 2005-2018. Univariable and multivariable cox regression analyses were used to assess the determinants of treatment failure over the period. RESULTS: Day 28 PCR-corrected failure, following treatment with ASAQ, significantly increased from 0.0% in 2005 to 2.0% (95% CI: 1.1-3.6) in 2015 (p = 0.013) but significantly decreased to 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1-1.6) in 2018 (p = 0.039). Failure, following treatment with AL, decreased from 4.5% (95% CI: 2.0-9.4) in 2010 to 2.7% (95% CI: 1.4-5.1) in 2018, though not statistically significant (p = 0.426). Risk of treatment failure, from multivariable cox regression analyses, was significantly lower among children receiving ASAQ compared with those receiving AL (HR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11-0.53; p < 0.001); lower among children with no parasitaemia on day 3 compared with those with parasitaemia on day 3 (HR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01-0.13; p < 0.001); and higher among children who received ASAQ and had axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C on day 1 compared with those with axillary temperature < 37.5 °C (HR = 3.96; 95% CI: 1.61-9.75; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment failures for both ASAQ and AL have remained less than 5% (below WHO's threshold of 10%) in Ghana since 2005. Predictors of treatment failure that need to be considered in the management of uncomplicated malaria in the country should include type of ACT, day 3 parasitaemia, and day 1 axillary temperature of patients being treated.

Gut microbiota signature of pathogen-dependent dysbiosis in viral gastroenteritis.

Acute gastroenteritis associated with diarrhea is considered a serious disease in Africa and South Asia. In this study, we examined the trends in the causative pathogens of diarrhea and the corresponding gut microbiota in Ghana using microbiome analysis performed on diarrheic stools via 16S rRNA sequencing. In total, 80 patients with diarrhea and 34 healthy adults as controls, from 2017 to 2018, were enrolled in the study. Among the patients with diarrhea, 39 were norovirus-positive and 18 were rotavirus-positive. The analysis of species richness (Chao1) was lower in patients with diarrhea than that in controls. Beta-diversity analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups. Several diarrhea-related pathogens (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella and Campylobacter) were detected in patients with diarrhea. Furthermore, co-infection with these pathogens and enteroviruses (e.g., norovirus and rotavirus) was observed in several cases. Levels of both Erysipelotrichaceae and Staphylococcaceae family markedly differed between norovirus-positive and -negative diarrheic stools, and the 10 predicted metabolic pathways, including the carbohydrate metabolism pathway, showed significant differences between rotavirus-positive patients with diarrhea and controls. This comparative study of diarrheal pathogens in Ghana revealed specific trends in the gut microbiota signature associated with diarrhea and that pathogen-dependent dysbiosis occurred in viral gastroenteritis.

Genomic epidemiological analysis identifies high relapse among individuals with recurring tuberculosis and provides evidence of recent household-related transmission of tuberculosis in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate the cause of recurring tuberculosis (rcTB) among participants with pulmonary TB recruited from a prospective population-based study conducted between July 2012 and December 2015. METHODS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates obtained from rcTB cases were characterized by standard mycobacterial genotyping tools, whole-genome sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis carried out to assess strain relatedness. RESULTS: The majority (58.3%, 21/36) of study participants with rcTB episodes had TB recurrence within 12 months post treatment. TB strains with isoniazid (INH) resistance were found in 19.4% (7/36) of participants at the primary episode, of which 29% (2/7) were also rifampicin-resistant. On TB recurrence, an INH-resistant strain was found in a larger proportion of participants, 27.8% (10/36), of which 40% (4/10) were MDR-TB strains. rcTB was attributed to relapse (same strain) in 75.0% (27/36) of participants and 25.0% (9/36) to re-infection. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that previous unresolved infectiondue to inadequate treatment, may be the major cause of rcTB.

Antibiotic prescription for febrile outpatients: a health facility-based secondary data analysis for the Greater Accra region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Misguided prescription of antibiotics is an important contributor towards the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The absence of effective interventions to control antibiotic use leads to increased consumption beyond the needed requirements. Antibiotic stewardship interventions must be appropriately targeted and assessed to enhance the controlled use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with antibiotic prescription to febrile outpatients who seek care in health facilities within the Greater Accra region of Ghana. METHODS: Secondary data obtained from the medical records of 2519 febrile outpatients, consecutively sampled at the outpatient department of 6 health facilities in 3 municipalities during the baseline survey of a quasi-experiment in 2015 was used. The primary outcome was prescription of any antibiotic. Independent variables included patients' demographics, symptoms, laboratory investigations (blood film microscopy, malaria rapid diagnostic test, full blood count, urine and stool routine examinations), diagnoses, and prescribers' demographics. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with antibiotic prescription. RESULTS: The prevalence of antibiotic prescription was 70.1% (95% CI: 67.7-72.4). Prescribers with more years of practice (> 5 years) were more likely to prescribe antibiotics compared to those with less than 3 years of practice (p <  0.001). Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) training was associated with a 2.3 (95% CI: 1.54, 3.53, p <  0.001) fold odds of antibiotic prescribing. Patients aged 5 years or more were 60% less likely to receive antibiotics compared with those under 5 years (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.51; p <  0.001). Patients referred for laboratory investigations were 29% less likely to be prescribed antibiotics than those not referred. The presence of cough as a presenting symptom was associated with a 3.5 (95% CI: 2.54, 4.92) fold odds of antibiotic prescription. CONCLUSION: Prescription of antibiotics to febrile outpatients was high. Promoting laboratory testing can potentially reduce irrational antibiotic prescription. Prescribing antibiotics for children under five and the prescribing practices of prescribers with longer years of practice should be targeted with interventions to reduce high use of antibiotics.

Whole Genome Sequencing and Spatial Analysis Identifies Recent Tuberculosis Transmission Hotspots in Ghana.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is progressively being used to investigate the transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). We used WGS analysis to resolve traditional genotype clusters and explored the spatial distribution of confirmed recent transmission clusters. Bacterial genomes from a total of 452 MTBC isolates belonging to large traditional clusters from a population-based study spanning July 2012 and December 2015 were obtained through short read next-generation sequencing using the illumina HiSeq2500 platform. We performed clustering and spatial analysis using specified R packages and ArcGIS. Of the 452 traditional genotype clustered genomes, 314 (69.5%) were confirmed clusters with a median cluster size of 7.5 genomes and an interquartile range of 4-12. Recent tuberculosis (TB) transmission was estimated as 24.7%. We confirmed the wide spread of a Cameroon sub-lineage clone with a cluster size of 78 genomes predominantly from the Ablekuma sub-district of Accra metropolis. More importantly, we identified a recent transmission cluster associated with isoniazid resistance belonging to the Ghana sub-lineage of lineage 4. WGS was useful in detecting unsuspected outbreaks; hence, we recommend its use not only as a research tool but as a surveillance tool to aid in providing the necessary guided steps to track, monitor, and control TB.

Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia following mass testing and treatment in Pakro sub-district of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Global efforts to scale-up malaria control interventions are gaining steam. These include the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets, Indoor Residual Spraying, Intermittent Preventive Treatment and Test, Treat and Track. Despite these, the drive for malaria elimination is far from being realistic in endemic communities in Africa. This is partly due to the fact that asymptomatic parasite carriage, not specifically targeted by most interventions, remains the bedrock that fuels transmission. This has led to mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) as an alternative strategy to target asymptomatic individuals. We report the impact of MTTT on the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia over a one-year period in Ghana, hypothesizing that implementing MTTT could reduce the rate of asymptomatic parasitaemia. METHODS: A population of about 5000 individuals in seven communities in the Pakro sub-district of Ghana participated in this study. A register was developed for each community following a census. MTTT engaged trained community-based health volunteers who conducted house-to-house testing using RDTs every 4 months and treated positive cases with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy. Between interventions, community-based management of malaria was implemented for symptomatic cases. RESULTS: MTTT Coverage was 98.8% in July 2017 and 79.3% in July 2018. Of those tested, asymptomatic infection with malaria parasites reduced from 36.3% (1795/4941) in July 2017 to 32.9% (1303/3966) in July 2018 (p = 0.001). Prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemia among children under 15 years declined from 52.6% (1043/1984) in July 2017 to 47.5% (820/1728) in July 2018 (p = 0.002). Implementing MTTT significantly reduced asymptomatic parasitaemia by 24% from July 2017 to July 2018 after adjusting for age, ITN use and axillary temperature (OR = 0.76, CI = 0.67, 0.85 p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that implementing MTTT is feasible and could reduce the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in children under 15 years of age. Furthermore, the use of community-based health volunteers could ensure high coverage at lower cost of implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04167566, Date 14/11/2019. Retrospective registration.

Probing the composition of Plasmodium species contained in malaria infections in the Eastern region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic falciparum and non-falciparum malaria infections are major challenges to malaria control interventions, as they remain a source of continual infection in the community. This becomes even more important as the debate moves towards elimination and eradication. This study sought to quantify the burden of Plasmodium malaria infection in seven communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana. METHODS: The cross-sectional study recruited 729 participants aged 85 years old and below from 7 closely linked communities. Finger pricked blood was used to prepare thick and thin blood smears as well as spot filter paper and an histidine rich protein 2 (HRP2) rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT). Genomic DNA was extracted from the filter paper dry blood spot (DBS) and used in PCR to amplify the Plasmodium 18S rRNA gene using species specific PCR. RESULTS: 96.6% of the participants were identified as afebrile, with axillary temperatures below 37.5 °C. PCR identified 66% of the participants to harbor malaria parasites, with 9 P. malariae and 7 P. ovale mono-infections accounting for 2.2% and P. falciparum combined with either 36 P. malariae or 25 P. ovale infections, accounting for 13.3%. Parasite prevalence by microscopy (32%) was similar to the RDT positivity rate (33%). False positive RDT results ranged from 64.6% in children aged between 5 and 9 years to 10% in adults aged 20 years and above. No significant differences were observed in falciparum and non-falciparum parasite carriage at the community level, however young adults aged between 15 and 19 years had the highest prevalence (34.8% (16/46)) of P. falciparum and P. malariae parasite carriage whilst children aged between 5 and 9 years had the highest level (11.4% (14/123)) of P. ovale carriage. CONCLUSION: The high rate of misidentification of non-falciparum parasites and the total absence of detection of P. ovale by microscopy suggests that more sensitive malaria diagnostic tools including molecular assays are required to accurately determine the prevalence of carriers of non-falciparum parasites and low density P. falciparum infections, especially during national surveillance exercises. Additionally, malaria control interventions targeting the non-falciparum species P. malariae and P. ovale parasites are needed.

Extent of inappropriate prescription of artemisinin and anti-malarial injections to febrile outpatients, a cross-sectional analytic survey in the Greater Accra region, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Febrile children seen in malaria hypo-endemic settings, such as the Greater Accra region (GAR) of Ghana are more likely to be suffering from a non-malarial febrile illness compared to those seen in hyper-endemic settings. The need for prescribers to rely on malaria test results to guide treatment practices in the GAR is even greater. This study was designed to investigate the factors associated with inappropriate artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) prescription. METHODS: A survey was conducted in six health facilities in the region in 2015. Treatment practices for febrile outpatient department (OPD) patients were obtained from their records. Prescribers were interviewed and availability of malaria commodities were assessed. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients prescribed ACT inappropriately. Independent variables included patient age and access to care, prescriber factors (professional category, work experience, access to guidelines, exposure to training). Data were analysed using Stata at 95% CI (α-value of 0.05). Frequencies and means were used to describe the characteristics of patients and prescribers. To identify the predictors of inappropriate ACT prescription, regression analyses were performed accounting for clustering. RESULTS: Overall, 2519 febrile OPD records were analysed; 45.6% (n = 1149) were younger than 5 years. Only 40.0% of patients were tested. The proportion of patients who were prescribed ACT inappropriately was 76.4% (n = 791 of 1036). Of these 791 patients, 141 (17.8%) were prescribed anti-malarial injections. Patients seen in facilities with rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) in stock were less likely to be prescribed ACT inappropriately, (AOR: 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.14, p < 0.001) compared to those seen in facilities with RDT stock-outs. Prescribers who had been trained on malaria case management within the past year were 4 times more likely to prescribe ACT inappropriately compared to those who had not been trained (AOR: 4.1; 95% CI (1.5-11.6); p < 0.01). Patients seen by prescribers who had been supervised were 8 times more likely to be  prescribed ACT inappropriately. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate ACT prescription to OPD febrile cases was high. Training and supervision of health workers appears not to be yielding the desired outcomes. Further research is needed to understand this observation.

Challenges and perceptions of implementing mass testing, treatment and tracking in malaria control: a qualitative study in Pakro sub-district of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains endemic in Ghana despite several interventions. Studies have demonstrated very high levels of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in both under-five and school-age children. Mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) of malaria in communities is being proposed for implementation with the argument that it can reduce parasite load, amplify gains from the other control interventions and consequently lead to elimination. However, challenges associated with implementing MTTT such as feasibility, levels of coverage to be achieved for effectiveness, community perceptions and cost implications need to be clearly understood. This qualitative study was therefore conducted in an area with on-going MTTT to assess community and health workers' perceptions about feasibility of scale-up and effectiveness to guide scale-up decisions. METHODS: This qualitative study employed purposive sampling to select the study participants. Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in seven communities; eight with community members (n = 80) and two with health workers (n = 14). In addition, two in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, one with a Physician Assistant and another with a Laboratory Technician at the health facility. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and analyzed using QSR NVivo 12. RESULTS: Both health workers and community members expressed positive perceptions about the feasibility of implementation and effectiveness of MTTT as an intervention that could reduce the burden of malaria in the community. MTTT implementation was perceived to have increased sensitisation about malaria, reduced the incidence of malaria, reduced household expenditure on malaria and alleviated the need to travel long distances for healthcare. Key challenges to implementation were doubts about the expertise of trained Community-Based Health Volunteers (CBHVs) to diagnose and treat malaria appropriately, side effects of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and misconceptions that CBHVs could infect children with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that MTTT was perceived to be effective in reducing malaria incidence and related hospital visits in participating communities. MTTT was deemed useful in breaking financial and geographical barriers to accessing healthcare. The interventions were feasible and acceptable to community members, despite observed challenges to implementation such as concerns about CBHVs' knowledge and skills and reduced revenue from internally generated funds (IGF) of the health facility.

Antigenicity and immune correlate assessment of seven Plasmodium falciparum antigens in a longitudinal infant cohort from northern Ghana.

The current global malaria control and elimination agenda requires development of additional effective disease intervention tools. Discovery and characterization of relevant parasite antigens is important for the development of new diagnostics and transmission monitoring tools and for subunit vaccine development. This study assessed the natural antibody response profile of seven novel Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic antigens and their potential association with protection against clinical malaria. Antigen-specific antibody levels in plasma collected at six time points from a longitudinal cohort of one-to-five year old children resident in a seasonal malaria transmission area of northern Ghana were assessed by ELISA. Antibody levels were compared between parasite-positive and parasite-negative individuals and the association of antibody levels with malaria risk assessed using a regression model. Plasma antibody levels against five of the seven antigens were significantly higher in parasite-positive children compared to parasite-negative children, especially during low transmission periods. None of the antigen-specific antibodies showed an association with protection against clinical malaria. The study identified five of the seven antigens as markers of exposure to malaria, and these will have relevance for the development of disease diagnostic and monitoring tools. The vaccine potential of these antigens requires further assessment.

Reduced transmission of Mycobacterium africanum compared to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in urban West Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding transmission dynamics is useful for tuberculosis (TB) control. A population-based molecular epidemiological study was conducted to determine TB transmission in Ghana. METHODS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates obtained from prospectively sampled pulmonary TB patients between July 2012 and December 2015 were characterized using spoligotyping and standard 15-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing for transmission studies. RESULTS: Out of 2309 MTBC isolates, 1082 (46.9%) unique cases were identified, with 1227 (53.1%) isolates belonging to one of 276 clusters. The recent TB transmission rate was estimated to be 41.2%. Whereas TB strains of lineage 4 belonging to M. tuberculosis showed a high recent transmission rate (44.9%), reduced recent transmission rates were found for lineages of Mycobacterium africanum (lineage 5, 31.8%; lineage 6, 24.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate high recent TB transmission, suggesting the occurrence of unsuspected outbreaks in Ghana. The observed reduced transmission rate of M. africanum suggests other factor(s) (host/environmental) may be responsible for its continuous presence in West Africa.

In vitro antiprotozoan activity and mechanisms of action of selected Ghanaian medicinal plants against Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Plasmodium parasites.

Trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and malaria are protozoan infections of public health importance with thousands of new cases recorded annually. Control of these infection(s) with existing chemotherapy is limited by drug toxicity, lengthy parenteral treatment, affordability, and/or the emergence of resistant strains. Medicinal plants on the other hand are used in the treatment of various infectious diseases although their chemical properties are not fully evaluated. In this study, we screened 112 crude extracts from 72 selected Ghanaian medicinal plants for anti-Trypanosoma, anti-Leishmania, and anti-Plasmodium activities in vitro and investigated their mechanisms of action. Twenty-three extracts from 20 plants showed significant antiprotozoan activity against at least 1 of 3 protozoan parasites screened with IC50 values less than 20 µg/ml. Eleven extracts showed high anti-Trypanosoma activity with Bidens pilosa whole plant and Morinda lucida leaf extracts recording the highest activities. Their IC50 (selectivity index [SI]) values were 5.51 µg/ml (35.00) and 5.96 µg/ml (13.09), respectively. Nine extracts had high anti-Leishmania activity with Annona senegalensis and Cassia alata leaf extracts as the most active. Their IC50 (SI) values were 10.8 µg/ml (1.50) and 10.1 µg/ml (0.37), respectively. Six extracts had high anti-Plasmodium activity with the leaf and stem-bark extracts of Terminalia ivorensis recording the highest activity. Their IC50 (SI) values were 7.26 µg/ml (129.36) and 17.45 µg/ml (17.17), respectively. Only M. lucida at 25 µg/ml induced significant apoptosis-like cell death in Trypanosoma parasites. Anti-Leishmania active extracts induced varying morphological changes in Leishmania parasites such as multiple nuclei and/or kinetoplast, incomplete flagella division, or nuclear fragmentation. Active extracts may be potential sources for developing new chemotherapy against these infections.