Scientists evaluate impact of preemptive malaria treatment for infants
Experts from the international consortium on IPTi present latest findings on a promising new approach for fighting malaria in children
Yaoundé, Cameroon (17 November 2005)--Administering malaria medicines preemptively to infants in malaria endemic regions has emerged as a potentially effective way to protect young children from the ravages of the disease. Children account for the majority of malaria deaths.
Leading scientists from an ambitious international consortium charged with evaluating the potential of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Infants (IPTi) will explore the results of a recent clinical trial in Ghana and preliminary evidence from other IPTi research underway in Africa. IPTi has the potential to become a major tool for malaria control in Africa as it may be delivered at the time of routine childhood vaccination--through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)--which increases the chance of long-term sustainability.
New study finds malaria could play key role in mother-to-child transmission of HIV in pregnancy
Yaoundé, Cameroon (17 November 2005)--Malaria infections boost production of a substance that might significantly increase HIV replication in the placenta. This interaction could explain why mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in Yaoundé increases following a rainy season, according to new findings presented at this week's Fourth Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Pan-African Malaria Conference.
Laboratory tests have revealed that biological substances known as "proinflammatory cytokines", such as TNF-alpha, which is found in high levels in placentas infected with malaria, could stimulate HIV replication in the placenta.
"Our research highlights the fact that placental malaria, through the placental cytokine network, could play an important role in mother-to-child HIV transmission in utero that has been underestimated so far," said Anfumbom Kfutwah of the Pasteur Center's virology laboratory. (Thursday, 3:10 p.m., Ebony Hall, Parallel Session 26, Presentation 169)
He said scientists have been investigating a possible link between malaria and in utero HIV infections since a study conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon found that MTCTs peaked three months after the rains peaked. Seasonal rains are known to bring an increase in malaria infections by providing the ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes that carry the disease.
Research reveals likely connection between early-life stress and teenage mental health problems
Research to be presented Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Research conducted at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University and at the University of Pittsburgh suggests a strong link between significant stress early in life and the increased incidence of mental health problems during adolescence. The research strengthens the case for proactive treatment or counseling of children who undergo a significant early-life stress. The research is being presented during the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington, D.C., Nov. 12-16. The meeting is one of the largest and most respected gatherings of neuroscientists in the world.
Both past research and human observation reveal that children who experience early-life stresses such as abuse, neglect, or loss of a parent have an increased risk of developing attachment disorders. Later in childhood, these same children show an increased incidence of manifesting some types of behavioral and emotional disorders, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, anxiety, depression, suicide, drug abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. Both genetic factors and life experiences appear to play a role in the causes of these mental health disorders.
A fast diagnosis for bacterial meningitis
University of Sydney researchers at Westmead Millennium Institute develop an accurate and rapid method of diagnosing bacterial meningitis.
Several hundred serious cases of bacterial meningitis are diagnosed in Australians every year. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment, however doctors have always faced difficulty in diagnosis, both in children and adults.
Professor Tania Sorrell and her team at Westmead Millennium Institute have discovered a quick and effective diagnostic for identifying bacterial meningitis using metabonomics.
Metabonomics is the study of the chemical composition of body fluids and tissues. All living organisms carry a unique metabolic fingerprint, and this can be identified using sophisticated techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry.
Researchers in this study compared the metabolic fingerprints of spinal fluid from patients who presented with meningitis-like symptoms at Westmead Hospital. They found that those with bacterial meningitis could be easily and accurately differentiated from those with non-infected fluid, and even from viral meningitis.
"When diagnosing bacterial brain infections, accuracy and speed are vitally important" says chief investigator Professor Tania Sorrell.
"Bacterial meningitis can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in young children, and this method will lead to faster and more targeted treatment meaning better outcomes."
Whilst this diagnostic is ready for the pathology lab, most hospitals do not yet possess the technology required. As technology advances however, and hospitals obtain more powerful equipment, the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis will become faster and more effective.
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