Novel strategies lead to pre-elimination of malaria in previously high-risk areas in Suriname, South America

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suriname was a high malaria risk country before the introduction of a new five-year malaria control program in 2005, the Medical Mission Malaria Programme (MM-MP). Malaria was endemic in the forested interior, where especially the stabile village communities were affected.</p> <p>Case description</p> <p>The interventions of the MM-MP included new strategies for prevention, vector control, case management, behavioral change communication (BCC)/information, education and communication (IEC), and strengthening of the health system (surveillance, monitoring and evaluation and epidemic detection system). After a slow first year with non-satisfying scores for the performance indicators, the MM-MP truly engaged in its intervention activities in 2006 and kept its performance up until the end of 2009. A total of 69,994 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets were distributed and more than 15,000 nets re-impregnated. In high-risk areas, this was complemented with residual spraying of insecticides. Over 10,000 people were screened with active case detection in outbreak and high-risk areas. Additional notification points were established and the national health system was strengthened.</p> <p>Discussion and evaluation</p> <p>In the current paper, the MM-MP is evaluated both on account of the targets established within the programme and on account of its impact on the malaria situation in Suriname. Malaria vector populations, monitored in sentinel sites, collapsed after 2006 and concurrently the number of national malaria cases decreased from 8,618 in 2005 to 1,509 in 2009. Malaria transmission risk shifted from the stabile village communities to the mobile gold mining communities, especially those along the French Guiana border.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The novel strategies for malaria control introduced in Suriname within the MM-MP have led to a significant decrease in the national malaria burden. The challenge is to further reduce malaria using the available strategies as appropriate in the affected areas and populations. Elimination of malaria in the country will require a thorough understanding of transmission dynamics and a dedicated investment in key effective interventions.</p

Remifentanil-propofol analgo-sedation shortens duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay compared to a conventional regimen: A centre randomised, cross-over, open-label study in the Netherlands

Objective: Compare duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), weaning time, ICU-LOS (ICU-LOS), efficacy and safety of remifentanil-based regimen with conventional sedation and analgesia. Design: Centre randomised, open-label, crossover, 'real-life' study. Setting: 15 Dutch hospitals. Patients: Adult medical and post-surgical ICU patients with anticipated short-term (2-3 days) MV. Interventions: Patient cohorts were randomised to remifentanil-based regimen (n = 96) with propofol as required, for a maximum of 10 days, or to conventional regimens (n = 109) of propofol, midazolam or lorazepam combined with fentanyl or morphine. Measurements and main results: Outcomes were weaning time, duration of MV, ICU-LOS, sedation- and analgesia levels, intensivist/ICU nurse satisfaction, adverse events, mean arterial pressure, heart rate. Median duration of ventilation (MV) was 5.1 days with conventional treatment versus 3.9 days with remifentanil (NS). The remifentanil-based regimen reduced median weaning time by 18.9 h (P = 0.0001). Median ICU-LOS was 7.9 days versus 5.9 days, respectively (NS). However, the treatment effects on duration of MV and ICU stay were time-dependent: patients were almost twice as likely to be extubated (P = 0.018) and discharged from the ICU (P = 0.05) on day 1-3. Propofol doses were reduced by 20% (P = 0.05). Remifentanil also improved sedation-agitation scores (P < 0.0001) and intensivist/ICU nurse satisfaction (P < 0.0001). All other outcomes were comparable. Conclusions: In patients with an expected short-term duration of MV, remifentanil significantly improves sedation and agitation levels and reduces weaning time. This contributes to a shorter duration of MV and ICU-LOS

Transient anti-cytokine autoantibodies superimpose the hyperinflammatory response in Kawasaki disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a comparative cohort study on correlates of diseaseResearch in context

Summary: Background: Children with SARS-CoV-2 related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) often present with clinical features that resemble Kawasaki disease (KD). Disease severity in adult COVID-19 is associated to the presence of anti-cytokine autoantibodies (ACAAs) against type I interferons. Similarly, ACAAs may be implicated in KD and MIS-C. Therefore, we explored the immunological response, presence of ACAAs and disease correlates in both disorders. Methods: Eighteen inflammatory plasma protein levels and seven ACAAs were measured in KD (n = 216) and MIS-C (n = 56) longitudinally by Luminex and/or ELISA. Levels (up to 1 year post-onset) of these proteins were related to clinical data and compared with healthy paediatric controls. Findings: ACAAs were found in both patient groups. The presence of ACAAs lagged behind the inflammatory plasma proteins and peaked in the subacute phase. ACAAs were mostly directed against IFN-γ (>80%) and were partially neutralising at best. KD presented with a higher variety of ACAAs than MIS-C. Increased levels of anti-IL-17A (P = 0·02) and anti-IL-22 (P = 0·01) were inversely associated with ICU admission in MIS-C. Except for CXCL10 in MIS-C (P = 0·002), inflammatory plasma proteins were elevated in both KD and MIS-C. Endothelial angiopoietin-2 levels were associated with coronary artery aneurysms in KD (P = 0·02); and sCD25 (P = 0·009), angiopoietin-2 (P = 0·001), soluble IL-33-receptor (ST2, P = 0·01) and CXCL10 (P = 0·02) with ICU admission in MIS-C. Interpretation: Markers of endothelial activation (E-selectin, angiopoietin-2), and innate and adaptive immune responses (macrophages [CD163, G-CSF], neutrophils [lipocalin-2], and T cells [IFN-γ, CXCL10, IL-6, IL-17]), are upregulated in KD and MIS-C. ACAAs were detected in both diseases and, although only partly neutralising, their transient presence and increased levels in non-ICU patients may suggest a dampening role on inflammation. Funding: The Kawasaki study is funded by the Dutch foundation Fonds Kind &amp; Handicap and an anonymous donor. The sponsors had no role in the study design, analysis, or decision for publication