Population pharmacokinetics of primaquine and its metabolites in African males.

BACKGROUND: Primaquine (PQ) is the prototype 8-aminoquinoline drug, a class which targets gametocytes and hypnozoites. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adding a single low dose of primaquine to the standard artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in order to block malaria transmission in regions with low malaria transmission. However, the haemolytic toxicity is a major adverse outcome of primaquine in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient subjects. This study aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties of primaquine and its major metabolites in G6PD-deficient subjects. METHODS: A single low-dose of primaquine (0.4-0.5 mg/kg) was administered in twenty-eight African males. Venous and capillary plasma were sampled up to 24 h after the drug administration. Haemoglobin levels were observed up to 28 days after drug administration. Only PQ, carboxy-primaquine (CPQ), and primaquine carbamoyl-glucuronide (PQCG) were present in plasma samples and measured using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Drug and metabolites' pharmacokinetic properties were investigated using nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. RESULTS: Population pharmacokinetic properties of PQ, CPQ, and PQCG can be described by one-compartment disposition kinetics with a transit-absorption model. Body weight was implemented as an allometric function on the clearance and volume parameters for all compounds. None of the covariates significantly affected the pharmacokinetic parameters. No significant correlations were detected between the exposures of the measured compounds and the change in haemoglobin or methaemoglobin levels. There was no significant haemoglobin drop in the G6PD-deficient patients after administration of a single low dose of PQ. CONCLUSIONS: A single low-dose of PQ was haematologically safe in this population of G6PD-normal and G6PD-deficient African males without malaria. Trial registration NCT02535767.

Child Health and Infection with Low Density (CHILD) malaria: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial to assess the long-term health and socioeconomic impacts of testing and treating low-density malaria infection among children in Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION: As malaria declines, low-density malaria infections (LMIs) represent an increasing proportion of infections and may have negative impacts on child health and cognition, necessitating development of targeted and effective solutions. This trial assesses the health, cognitive and socioeconomic impact of two strategies for detecting and treating LMI in a low transmission setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is a 3-arm open-label individually randomised controlled trial enrolling 600 children aged 6 months to 10 years in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania. Children are randomised to one of three arms: active case detection with molecular (ACDm) testing by high volume quantitative PCR (qPCR), passive case detection also with molecular testing (PCDm) and a control of standard PCD using rapid diagnostics tests (RDTs). Over the 2-year trial, ACDm participants receive malaria testing using RDT and qPCR three times annually, and malaria testing by RDT only when presenting with fever. PCDm and PCD participants receive malaria testing by RDT and qPCR or RDT only, respectively, when presenting with fever. RDT or qPCR positive participants with uncomplicated malaria are treated with artemether lumefantrine. The primary outcome is cumulative incidence of all-cause sick visits. Secondary outcomes include fever episodes, clinical failure after fever episodes, adverse events, malaria, non-malarial infection, antibiotic use, anaemia, growth faltering, cognition and attention, school outcomes, immune responses, and socioeconomic effects. Outcomes are assessed through monthly clinical assessments and testing, and baseline and endline neurodevelopmental testing. The trial is expected to provide key evidence and inform policy on health, cognitive and socioeconomic impact of interventions targeting LMI in children. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Study is approved by Tanzania NatHREC and institutional review boards at University of California San Francisco and Ifakara Health Institute. Findings will be reported on ClinicalTrials.gov, in peer-reviewed journals and through stakeholder meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05567016.

Implementation and mixed-methods evaluation of "Walk with a Doc" program at Stony Brook.

CONTEXT: Walking groups run by trained individuals, lasting under an hour in a natural environment, may be a cost-effective way by which to encourage sustainable changes in physical activity as well as foster companionship and a shared experience of wellness among participants. Walk with a Doc (WWaD) is a national program that provides a platform for medical professionals, including physicians and medical students, to deliver a short talk on a health topic prior to walking side by side with patients and community members. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the WWaD Chapter at Stony Brook following implementation, a questionnaire was designed utilizing a mixed-methods approach (i.e., containing qualitative and quantitative items) and administered to all attendees monthly prior to the health discussion. The aim of the questionnaire was fourfold: first, to obtain participant demographics; second, to obtain information on attendees' own perceptions of their health status and the role exercise plays in their health; third, to gain data on physical activity levels, including lengths of exercise sessions and types of activities performed; and fourth, to learn more about attendees' motivations and goals for participating in the walks. METHODS: We received an IRB exemption. Physician and medical student volunteers were recruited from Stony Brook University Hospital, a suburban tertiary care center, to oversee program logistics. WWaD was scheduled to take place on the third Sunday of every month for 1 h at Heritage Park in Mount Sinai, New York. The event was advertised by volunteers to colleagues, peers, patients, and community members utilizing word of mouth, printed flyers, emails to listservs, and social media outlets. Each month, a physician volunteer oversaw a brief discussion (approximately 10 min in length). RESULTS: Over the course of the 5 month evaluation period, 91 individuals participated in the walks, including repeat attendees. After excluding duplicate or incomplete entries, data from 30 participants were included in this analysis. The majority of participants were female (n=24) with a mean age of 50 years (range, 23-98 years). Feedback on WWaD program elements was largely positive. Participants commended the monthly speakers for "informative talks" (n=6) on "interesting topics" (n=4), with plans to review the supplemental information in educational pamphlets following the walk (n=4). The brochures were also deemed "helpful." Overwhelmingly, patients referred to the community gathering and team building aspects of WWaD as the "most enjoyable" aspect of the program (n=8) and a key driver for participation. CONCLUSIONS: This mixed-methods study of the WWaD chapter at Stony Brook contributes to a growing body of evidence highlighting the value of walking groups as effective avenues for collaboration in producing accessible healthy behavior.

Testing and treatment for malaria elimination: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Global interest in malaria elimination has prompted research on active test and treat (TaT) strategies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the effectiveness of TaT strategies to reduce malaria transmission. RESULTS: A total of 72 empirical research and 24 modelling studies were identified, mainly focused on proactive mass TaT (MTaT) and reactive case detection (RACD) in higher and lower transmission settings, respectively. Ten intervention studies compared MTaT to no MTaT and the evidence for impact on malaria incidence was weak. No intervention studies compared RACD to no RACD. Compared to passive case detection (PCD) alone, PCD + RACD using standard diagnostics increased infection detection 52.7% and 11.3% in low and very low transmission settings, respectively. Using molecular methods increased this detection of infections by 1.4- and 1.1-fold, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results suggest MTaT is not effective for reducing transmission. By increasing case detection, surveillance data provided by RACD may indirectly reduce transmission by informing coordinated responses of intervention targeting.

Applying the COM-B behaviour change model to a pilot study delivering volatile pyrethroid spatial repellents and insecticide-treated clothing to forest-exposed populations in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asia is making tremendous progress towards their 2030 malaria elimination goal but needs new interventions to stop forest malaria. This study trials two new vector control tools, a volatile pyrethroid spatial repellent (VPSR) and insecticide-treated clothing (ITC), amongst forest-exposed populations in Mondulkiri Province Cambodia to inform their potential use for eliminating forest malaria. METHODS: 21 forest-exposed individuals were given a questionnaire on their perceptions of malaria and preventive practices used, after which they trialed two products sequentially. Clothes was treated with ITC by the study team. Mixed methods were used to understand their experience, attitudes, and preferences regarding the products trialed. Quantitative data was summarized and qualitative insights were analysed using thematic analysis, applying the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour Change (COM-B) model and Behaviour Change Wheel Framework to identify intervention functions to support tailored product rollout amongst these populations. RESULTS: Study participants reported a need for protection from mosquito bites in outdoor and forest-exposed settings and perceived both products trialed to be effective for this purpose. The VPSR product was preferred when travel was not required, whereas ITC was preferred for ease of use when going to the forest, especially in rainy conditions. COM-B analysis identified that key enablers for use of both products included their perceived efficacy and ease of use, which required no skill or preparation. For barriers to use, the odour of ITC was sometimes perceived as being toxic, as well as its inability to protect uncovered skin from mosquito bites, while the perceived usefulness of the VPSR product trialed was limited by its water sensitivity in rainy forest settings. Intervention components to encourage appropriate and sustained use of these products include education about how to use these products and what to expect, persuasion to use them from community leaders and targeted channels, and enablement to facilitate convenient and affordable access. CONCLUSION: The rollout of VPSRs and ITC amongst forest-exposed populations can be useful for eliminating malaria in Southeast Asia. Study findings can be applied to increase product uptake among forest exposed populations in Cambodia, while manufacturers can aim to develop products that are rainproof, easy to use in forest settings, and have favourable odour profiles to target users.

Personalized Cancer Monitoring Assay for the Detection of ctDNA in Patients with Solid Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Highly sensitive molecular assays have been developed to detect plasma-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and emerging evidence suggests their clinical utility for monitoring minimal residual disease and recurrent disease, providing prognostic information, and monitoring therapy responses in patients with solid tumors. The Invitae Personalized Cancer Monitoring™ assay uses a patient-specific, tumor-informed variant signature identified through whole exome sequencing to detect ctDNA in peripheral blood of patients with solid tumors. METHODS: The assay's tumor whole exome sequencing and ctDNA detection components were analytically validated using 250 unique human specimens and nine commercial reference samples that generated 1349 whole exome sequencing and cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-derived libraries. A comparison of tumor and germline whole exome sequencing was used to identify patient-specific tumor variant signatures and generate patient-specific panels, followed by targeted next-generation sequencing of plasma-derived cfDNA using the patient-specific panels with anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction chemistry leveraging unique molecular identifiers. RESULTS: Whole exome sequencing resulted in overall sensitivity of 99.8% and specificity of > 99.9%. Patient-specific panels were successfully designed for all 63 samples (100%) with ≥ 20% tumor content and 24 (80%) of 30 samples with ≥ 10% tumor content. Limit of blank studies using 30 histologically normal, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens resulted in 100% expected panel design failure. The ctDNA detection component demonstrated specificity of > 99.9% and sensitivity of 96.3% for a combination of 10 ng of cfDNA input, 0.008% allele frequency, 50 variants on the patient-specific panels, and a baseline threshold. Limit of detection ranged from 0.008% allele frequency when utilizing 60 ng of cfDNA input with 18-50 variants in the patient-specific panels (> 99.9% sensitivity) with a baseline threshold, to 0.05% allele frequency when using 10 ng of cfDNA input with an 18-variant panel with a monitoring threshold (> 99.9% sensitivity). CONCLUSIONS: The Invitae Personalized Cancer Monitoring assay, featuring a flexible patient-specific panel design with 18-50 variants, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting ctDNA at variant allele frequencies as low as 0.008%. This assay may support patient prognostic stratification, provide real-time data on therapy responses, and enable early detection of residual/recurrent disease.

Applying the COM-B behavior model to inform the delivery of spatial repellents and insecticide-treated clothing among forest exposed populations in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Southeast Asia is making tremendous progress towards their 2030 malaria elimination goal but needs new interventions to stop forest malaria. This study trials two new vector control tools, a volatile pyrethroid spatial repellent (VSPR) and insecticide-treated clothing (ITC), amongst forest-exposed populations in Mondulkiri Province Cambodia to inform their potential use for eliminating forest malaria. METHODS: 21 forest-exposed individuals were given a questionnaire on their perceptions of malaria and preventive practices used, after which they trialed two products sequentially. Mixed methods were used to understand their experience, attitudes, and preferences regarding the products trialed. Quantitative data was summarized and qualitative insights were analyzed using thematic analysis, applying the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behavior Change (COM-B) model and Behavior Change Wheel Framework to identify intervention functions to support tailored product rollout amongst these populations. RESULTS: Study participants reported a need for protection from mosquito bites in outdoor and forest-exposed settings and perceived both products trialed to be effective for this purpose. The VPSR product was preferred when travel was not required, whereas ITC was preferred for ease of use when going to the forest, especially in rainy conditions. COM-B analysis identified that key enablers for use of both products included their perceived efficacy and ease of use, which required no skill or preparation. For barriers to use, the odor of ITC was sometimes perceived as being toxic, as well as its inability to protect uncovered skin from mosquito bites, while the perceived usefulness of the VPSR product trialed was limited by its water sensitivity in rainy forest settings. Intervention components to encourage appropriate and sustained use of these products include education about how to use these products and what to expect, persuasion to use them from community leaders and targeted ads, and enablement to guarantee access. CONCLUSION: The rollout of VPSRs and ITC amongst forest-exposed populations can be useful for eliminating malaria in Southeast Asia. Study findings can be applied to increase product uptake in Cambodia, while research efforts can aim to develop products that are rainproof, easy to use in forest settings, and have favorable odor profiles to target users.

Safety of single-dose primaquine as a Plasmodium falciparum gametocytocide: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data.

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended single low-dose (SLD, 0.25 mg/kg) primaquine to be added as a Plasmodium (P.) falciparum gametocytocide to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) without glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) testing, to accelerate malaria elimination efforts and avoid the spread of artemisinin resistance. Uptake of this recommendation has been relatively slow primarily due to safety concerns. METHODS: A systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of single-dose (SD) primaquine studies for P. falciparum malaria were performed. Absolute and fractional changes in haemoglobin concentration within a week and adverse effects within 28 days of treatment initiation were characterised and compared between primaquine and no primaquine arms using random intercept models. RESULTS: Data comprised 20 studies that enrolled 6406 participants, of whom 5129 (80.1%) had received a single target dose of primaquine ranging between 0.0625 and 0.75 mg/kg. There was no effect of primaquine in G6PD-normal participants on haemoglobin concentrations. However, among 194 G6PD-deficient African participants, a 0.25 mg/kg primaquine target dose resulted in an additional 0.53 g/dL (95% CI 0.17-0.89) reduction in haemoglobin concentration by day 7, with a 0.27 (95% CI 0.19-0.34) g/dL haemoglobin drop estimated for every 0.1 mg/kg increase in primaquine dose. Baseline haemoglobin, young age, and hyperparasitaemia were the main determinants of becoming anaemic (Hb < 10 g/dL), with the nadir observed on ACT day 2 or 3, regardless of G6PD status and exposure to primaquine. Time to recovery from anaemia took longer in young children and those with baseline anaemia or hyperparasitaemia. Serious adverse haematological events after primaquine were few (9/3, 113, 0.3%) and transitory. One blood transfusion was reported in the primaquine arms, and there were no primaquine-related deaths. In controlled studies, the proportions with either haematological or any serious adverse event were similar between primaquine and no primaquine arms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the WHO recommendation to use 0.25 mg/kg of primaquine as a P. falciparum gametocytocide, including in G6PD-deficient individuals. Although primaquine is associated with a transient reduction in haemoglobin levels in G6PD-deficient individuals, haemoglobin levels at clinical presentation are the major determinants of anaemia in these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42019128185.

Effective management of district-level malaria control and elimination: implementing quality and participative process improvements.

Although it is widely recognized that strong program management is essential to achieving better health outcomes, this priority is not recognized in malaria programmatic practices. Increased management precision offers the opportunity to improve the effectiveness of malaria interventions, overcoming operational barriers to intervention coverage and accelerating the path to elimination. Here we propose a combined approach involving quality improvement, quality management, and participative process improvement, which we refer to as Combined Quality and Process Improvement (CQPI), to improve upon malaria program management. We draw on evidence from other areas of public health, as well as pilot implementation studies in Eswatini, Namibia and Zimbabwe to support the proposal. Summaries of the methodological approaches employed in the pilot studies, overview of activities and an outline of lessons learned from the implementation of CQPI are provided. Our findings suggest that a malaria management strategy that prioritizes quality and participative process improvements at the district-level can strengthen teamwork and communication while enabling the empowerment of subnational staff to solve service delivery challenges. Despite the promise of CQPI, however, policy makers and donors are not aware of its potential. Investments are therefore needed to allow CQPI to come to fruition.

Efficacy of Single-Dose Primaquine With Artemisinin Combination Therapy on Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes and Transmission: An Individual Patient Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since the World Health Organization recommended single low-dose (0.25 mg/kg) primaquine (PQ) in combination with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in areas of low transmission or artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, several single-site studies have been conducted to assess efficacy. METHODS: An individual patient meta-analysis to assess gametocytocidal and transmission-blocking efficacy of PQ in combination with different ACTs was conducted. Random effects logistic regression was used to quantify PQ effect on (1) gametocyte carriage in the first 2 weeks post treatment; and (2) the probability of infecting at least 1 mosquito or of a mosquito becoming infected. RESULTS: In 2574 participants from 14 studies, PQ reduced PCR-determined gametocyte carriage on days 7 and 14, most apparently in patients presenting with gametocytemia on day 0 (odds ratio [OR], 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], .17-.28 and OR, 0.12; 95% CI, .08-.16, respectively). Rate of decline in gametocyte carriage was faster when PQ was combined with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) compared to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) (P = .010 for day 7). Addition of 0.25 mg/kg PQ was associated with near complete prevention of transmission to mosquitoes. CONCLUSIONS: Transmission blocking is achieved with 0.25 mg/kg PQ. Gametocyte persistence and infectivity are lower when PQ is combined with AL compared to DP.

Mechanistic Modeling of Primaquine Pharmacokinetics, Gametocytocidal Activity, and Mosquito Infectivity.

Clinical studies have shown that adding a single 0.25 mg base/kg dose of primaquine to standard antimalarial regimens rapidly sterilizes Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. However, the mechanism of action and overall impact on malaria transmission is still unknown. Using data from 81 adult Malians with P. falciparum gametocytemia who received the standard dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine treatment course and were randomized to receive either a single dose of primaquine between 0.0625 and 0.5 mg base/kg or placebo, we characterized the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships for transmission blocking activity. Both gametocyte clearance and mosquito infectivity were assessed. A mechanistically linked pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model adequately described primaquine and carboxy-primaquine pharmacokinetics, gametocyte dynamics, and mosquito infectivity at different clinical doses of primaquine. Primaquine showed a dose-dependent gametocytocidal effect that precedes clearance. A single low dose of primaquine (0.25 mg/kg) rapidly prevented P. falciparum transmissibility.

G6PD Polymorphisms and Hemolysis After Antimalarial Treatment With Low Single-Dose Primaquine: A Pooled Analysis of Six African Clinical Trials.

Primaquine (PQ) is an antimalarial drug with the potential to reduce malaria transmission due to its capacity to clear mature Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in the human host. However, the large-scale roll-out of PQ has to be counterbalanced by the additional risk of drug-induced hemolysis in individuals suffering from Glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a genetic condition determined by polymorphisms on the X-linked G6PD gene. Most studies on G6PD deficiency and PQ-associated hemolysis focused on the G6PD A- variant, a combination of the two single nucleotide changes G202A (rs1050828) and A376G (rs1050829), although other polymorphisms may play a role. In this study, we tested the association of 20 G6PD single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hemolysis measured seven days after low single dose of PQ given at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg to 0.75 mg/kg in 957 individuals from 6 previously published clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of this drug spanning five African countries. After adjusting for inter-study effects, age, gender, baseline hemoglobin level, PQ dose, and parasitemia at screening, our analysis showed putative association signals from the common G6PD mutation, A376G [-log10(p-value) = 2.44] and two less-known SNPs, rs2230037 [-log10(p-value] = 2.60), and rs28470352 [-log10(p-value) = 2.15]; A376G and rs2230037 were in very strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (R 2 = 0.978). However, when the effects of these SNPs were included in the same regression model, the subsequent associations were in the borderline of statistical significance. In conclusion, whilst a role for the A- variant is well established, we did not observe an important additional role for other G6PD polymorphisms in determining post-treatment hemolysis in individuals treated with low single-dose PQ.

Trends in Ethnicity, Race, and Sex Among Psychiatry and Non-psychiatry Residency Applicants, 2008-2019.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine trends in racial/ethnic and gender representation among US psychiatry residency applicants compared with non-psychiatry applicants. METHODS: Using publicly available applicant data, racial/ethnic and gender distributions of psychiatry residency applicants from 2008 to 2019 were examined and compared with non-psychiatry residency applicants. Both longitudinal trends within both cohorts and cross-sectional, between-group differences were examined. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2019, the percentage of female, American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN), Black, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) psychiatry and non-psychiatry residency applicants increased (p<.001). Within each year, Black and Asian applicants comprised a larger percentage of psychiatry applicants compared with non-psychiatry applicants (p<.001). Between 2008 and 2019, Black psychiatry and non-psychiatry applicants increased from 9.1% to 11.6% and 6.6% to 7.6%, respectively; Asian psychiatry and non-psychiatry applicants decreased from 39.5% to 30.5% and 27.5% to 26.6%, respectively; White psychiatry and non-psychiatry applicants increased from 26.7% to 38.2% and 42.7% to 49.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic and gender characteristics of US psychiatry residency applicants represent the future of the US psychiatric workforce. The US psychiatry residency applicant pool has become increasingly diverse from 2008 to 2019. Initiatives should work to enhance representation of psychiatry applicants from historically marginalized backgrounds, and simultaneously to recruit and retain a diverse psychiatric workforce following residency training.

Persistence of mRNA indicative of Plasmodium falciparum ring-stage parasites 42 days after artemisinin and non-artemisinin combination therapy in naturally infected Malians.

BACKGROUND: Malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa relies upon prompt case management with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Ring-stage parasite mRNA, measured by sbp1 quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), was previously reported to persist after ACT treatment and hypothesized to reflect temporary arrest of the growth of ring-stage parasites (dormancy) following exposure to artemisinins. Here, the persistence of ring-stage parasitaemia following ACT and non-ACT treatment was examined. METHODS: Samples were used from naturally infected Malian gametocyte carriers who received dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP-AQ) with or without gametocytocidal drugs. Gametocytes and ring-stage parasites were quantified by qRT-PCR during 42 days of follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, 89% (64/73) of participants had measurable ring-stage parasite mRNA. Following treatment, the proportion of ring-stage parasite-positive individuals and estimated densities declined for all four treatment groups. Ring-stage parasite prevalence and density was generally lower in arms that received DP compared to SP-AQ. This finding was most apparent days 1, 2, and 42 of follow-up (p < 0.01). Gametocytocidal drugs did not influence ring-stage parasite persistence. Ring-stage parasite density estimates on days 14 and 28 after initiation of treatment were higher among individuals who subsequently experienced recurrent parasitaemia compared to those who remained free of parasites until day 42 after initiation of treatment (pday 14 = 0.011 and pday 28 = 0.068). No association of ring-stage persistence with gametocyte carriage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings of lower ring-stage persistence after ACT without an effect of gametocytocidal partner drugs affirms the use of sbp1 as ring-stage marker. Lower persistence of ring-stage mRNA after ACT treatment suggests the marker may not reflect dormant parasites whilst it was predictive of re-appearance of parasitaemia.

Antiemetic Prophylaxis and Anesthetic Approaches to Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Bariatric Surgery Patients: a Systematic Review.

While guidelines exist for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the general surgical setting, there are no established guidelines for the prevention or treatment of PONV in bariatric patients, in whom PONV contributes significantly to perioperative morbidity and hospital resource utilization. This systematic review found that the multimodal pharmacological approach to PONV prevention recommended in current guidelines for high-risk surgical patients is appropriate for the bariatric subset. This includes multi-agent antiemetic prophylaxis with dexamethasone and one or more agents from other classes, and opioid-free total intravenous anesthesia, though the advantages of the latter need further evaluation. There remains a need for a standardized validated instrument to assess PONV in the bariatric setting.