bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A quantitative ultrastructural study of renal pathology in fatalPlasmodium falciparummalaria
Authors: Nguansangiam Sudarat , Day Nicholas P. J. , Hien Tran Tinh , Mai Nguyen Thi Hoang , Chaisri Urai , Riganti Mario , Dondorp Arjen M. , Lee Sue J. , Phu Nguyen Hoan , Turner Gareth D. H. , White Nicholas J. , Ferguson David J. P. , Pongponratn Emsri 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective To use electron microscopy to examine the role of parasitized red blood cell (PRBC) sequestration in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure in severe falciparum malaria.Methods Ultrastructural pathological examination of renal tissues from Southeast Asian adults (n = 63) who died from severe falciparum malaria. Qualitative and quantitative determination of the major pathological features of disease, including PRBC and leukocyte sequestration. Clinico‐pathological correlation with the pre‐mortem clinical picture and peripheral parasite count.Results There was a high incidence of malaria‐associated renal failure in this population (> 40%) and a correlation between this incidence, severe malarial anaemia and shock. Pathological features included PRBC sequestration in glomerular and tubulo‐interstitial vessels, acute tubular damage and mild glomerular hypercellularity resulting from the accumulation of host monocytes within glomerular capillaries. No evidence for an immune complex mediated glomerulonephritis was found. There was a correlation between parasite sequestration in the kidney and pre‐mortem renal failure, although overall levels of sequestration were relatively low. Levels of sequestration (Knob+ PRBC) were significantly higher in malaria‐associated renal failure than in fatal cases without renal failure (P = 0.005).Conclusion Malaria‐associated renal failure is a common and serious complication of severePlasmodium falciparummalaria in this population, associated with acute tubular injury rather than glomerulonephritis, and linked to localization of host monocytes in the kidney as well as sequestration of PRBCs.
Efficacy of pyrethroid‐treated nets against malaria vectors and nuisance‐biting mosquitoes in Tanzania in areas with long‐term insecticide‐treated net use
Authors: Kulkarni Manisha A. , Malima Robert , Mosha Frank W. , Msangi Shandala , Mrema Ezra , Kabula Bilali , Lawrence Boniface , Kinung’hi Safari , Swilla John , Kisinza William , Rau Manfred E. , Miller Jane E. , Schellenberg Joanna Armstrong , Maxwell Caroline , Rowland Mark , Magesa Stephen , Drakeley Chris 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To measure pyrethroid susceptibility in populations of malaria vectors and nuisance‐biting mosquitoes in Tanzania and to test the biological efficacy of current insecticide formulations used for net treatment.Methods  Anopheles gambiae Giles s.l., An. funestus Giles s.l. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say were collected during three national surveys and two insecticide‐treated net (ITN) studies in Tanzania. Knockdown effect and mortality were measured in standard WHO susceptibility tests and ball‐frame bio‐efficacy tests. Test results from 1999 to 2004 were compared to determine trends in resistance development.Results  Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus s.l. were highly susceptible to permethrin (range 87–100%) and deltamethrin (consistently 100%) in WHO tests in 1999 and 2004, while Culex quinquefasciatus susceptibility to these pyrethroids was much lower (range 7–100% and 0–84% respectively). Efficacy of pyrethroid‐treated nets was similarly high against An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus s.l. (range 82–100%) while efficacy against Cx. quinquefasciatus was considerably lower (range 2–100%). There was no indication of development of resistance in populations of An. gambiae s.l. or An. funestus s.l. where ITNs have been extensively used; however, susceptibility of nuisance‐biting Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes declined in some areas between 1999 and 2004.Conclusion  The sustained pyrethroid susceptibility of malaria vectors in Tanzania is encouraging for successful malaria control with ITNs. Continued monitoring is essential to ensure early resistance detection, particularly in areas with heavy agricultural or public health use of insecticides where resistance is likely to develop. Widespread low susceptibility of nuisance‐biting Culex mosquitoes to ITNs raises concern for user acceptance of nets.
Cost‐effectiveness of annual targeted larviciding campaigns in Cambodia against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti
Authors: Suaya Jose A. , Shepard Donald S. , Chang Moh‐Seng , Caram Mariana , Hoyer Stefan , Socheat Duong , Chantha Ngan , Nathan Michael B. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To assess the cost‐effectiveness (CE) of annual targeted larviciding campaigns from 2001 to 2005 against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in two urban areas of Cambodia with a population of 2.9 million people.Methods  The intervention under analysis consisted of annual larviciding campaigns targeting medium to large water storage containers in households and other premises. The CE compared the intervention against the hypothetical alternative of no intervention. The CE was calculated as the ratio of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) saved to the net cost of the intervention (in 2005 US dollars) by year. A sensitivity analysis explored the range of study parameters.Results  The intervention reduced the number of dengue cases and deaths by 53%. It averted an annual average of 2980 dengue hospitalizations, 11 921 dengue ambulatory cases and 23 dengue deaths, resulting in a saving of 997 DALYs per year. The gross cost of the intervention was US$ 567 800 per year, or US$ 0.20 per person covered. As the intervention averted considerable medical care, the annual net cost of the intervention was US$ 312 214 (US$ 0.11 per person covered) from a public sector perspective and US$ 37 137 (US$ 0.01 per person covered) from a societal perspective. The resulting CE ratios were: US$ 313/DALY gained from the public perspective and US$ 37/DALY gained from the societal perspective. Even under the most conservative assumption, the intervention remained cost effective from both perspectives.Conclusions  Annual, targeted larviciding campaigns appear to have been effective and cost‐effective medium‐term interventions to reduce the epidemiologic and economic burden of dengue in urban areas of Cambodia.
Atypical manifestations of dengue
Authors: Gulati Sameer , Maheshwari Anu 
Published: August 2010

SummaryAs the spread of dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever is increasing, atypical manifestations are also on the rise, although they may be under reported because of lack of awareness. This review compiles descriptions of atypical manifestations of dengue, such as dengue encephalitis, dengue myocarditis, dengue hepatitis and dengue cholecystitis.
Short communication: First record of Aedes albopictus in Gabon, Central Africa
Authors: Krueger Andreas , Hagen Ralf M. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is an important arbovirus vector. Originating in East Asia, the species has been introduced to the Americas, the Indo‐Pacific and Australasian regions as well as Europe and Africa, mostly during the past 30 years and probably by transportation in used tires. We report Ae. albopictus for the first time from Gabon (Libreville). In addition, the yellow fever mosquito Ae. aegypti ssp. formosus and 16 other culicid species were detected throughout the city, four of which are also new records for Gabon.
Laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in TB and HIV endemic settings and the contribution of real time PCR for M. tuberculosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Kibiki Gibson S. , Mulder Bert , Van Der Ven Andre J. A. M. , Sam Noel , Boeree Martin J. , Van Der Zanden Adri , Dolmans Wil M. V. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackground  Tuberculosis (TB) in Africa is increasing because of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, and in HIV/AIDS patients it presents atypically. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Africa is mainly diagnosed clinically, by chest radiograph or by sputum smear for acid fast bacilli (AFB).Methods  We evaluated in 120 HIV‐infected patients with chest infection the diagnostic accuracy of AFB smear of sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture, real‐time PCR and MycoDot® serological test, using MTB culture of BAL fluid as gold standard. We correlated PCR cycle threshold values (CT) to the culture results. Retrospectively, we evaluated the development of active TB in patients with positive PCR but negative culture.Results  Culture of BAL fluid identified 28 patients with PTB. Fifty‐six patients could not produce adequate sputum. Sputum AFB smear and the serological test had sensitivities of 66.7% and 0%, respectively. PCR with CT 40 was positive in 73 patients, 27 of whom were also TB culture positive (96.4% sensitivity and 52.3% specificity of PCR). PCR with CT 32 had sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 90.9% to diagnose PTB in BAL. No patients with positive PCR but negative culture developed active TB during 18 months follow‐up.Conclusion  In these HIV‐infected patients, AFB smear and serology had very low sensitivities. PCR of BAL with CT value 32 had improved specificity to diagnose active PTB. A prospective follow‐up study is warranted in TB/HIV endemic settings, applying real time PCR to both sputum and BAL.
Systematic review: Impact of meningococcal vaccination on pharyngeal carriage of meningococci
Authors: Dellicour Stephanie , Greenwood Brian 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To investigate the effect of meningococcal vaccines on pharyngeal carriage of meningococci.Methods  Systematic review. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for relevant studies. Controlled trials and observational studies which used comparison groups or compared carriage rates before and after vaccination were included in the review.Results  Twenty‐nine studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Twenty‐five studies reported the effect of a polysaccharide vaccine, one the effect of a serogroup C conjugate vaccine and three the impact of serogroup B outer‐membrane vaccines on overall and/or serogroup‐specific meningococcal carriage rates. Ten studies of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines found reduced serogroup‐specific carriage; seven of these focussed on high‐risk groups and had a short follow‐up period. Only one of five studies of civilian populations in Africa showed a significantly reduced carriage. Many studies had methodological shortcomings. The one study which assessed the effect of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine on carriage showed a significant impact. Three studies of serogroup B outer‐membrane protein vaccines showed no effect on carriage.Conclusions  A few well‐designed trials of the impact of meningococcal vaccines on carriage have been undertaken. Such studies should be an essential component of the evaluation of new meningococcal vaccines, particularly those introduced to control epidemic meningococcal disease in Africa.
Low specificity of the Murex fourth‐generation HIV enzyme immunoassay in Tanzanian adolescents
Authors: Everett Dean B. , Weiss Helen A. , Changalucha John , Anemona Alessandra , Chirwa Tobias , Ross David A. , Watson‐Jones Deborah , Parry John V. , Hayes Richard , Mabey David C. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To determine the specificity of the Abbott Murex HIV antigen/antibody combination enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the diagnosis of HIV infection in Tanzania.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey of 7333 Tanzanian adolescents and young adults was carried out. Sera testing positive by the Murex assay were further evaluated using a battery of other EIA which detect either antibody to HIV‐1 or p24 antigen, and by PCR using pol primers.Results  Of the 674 sera testing positive by the Murex assay, only 53 (7.9%) were confirmed. The specificity of the Murex assay was 91.5%.Conclusions  Serological tests for HIV may perform differently in different populations. New diagnostic tests should not be introduced into populations in which they have not been evaluated.
Food safety aspects of toxic element accumulation in fish from wastewater‐fed ponds in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Marcussen Helle , Holm Peter E. , Ha Le Thai , Dalsgaard Anders 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the food safety of fish from production systems in Hanoi feed with domestic and industrial wastewater with respect to the potentially toxic elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb).Methods  Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were sampled from wastewater‐fed ponds, and total concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were determined in skin, liver and muscle.Results  Arsenic, Cd and Pd concentrations were generally low and for many samples below the detection limit. The highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in the liver of tilapia, and the highest As concentration in the skin of tilapia. Maximum concentrations in muscle tissue were 0.120, 0.079 and 0.082 mg/kg fresh weight (f.w.) for As, Cd and Pb, respectively. Consumption of fish with maximum muscle tissue concentration will result in a human intake corresponding to 6.2%, 8.7% and 2.5% of the tolerable intake of these elements set by Codex Alimentarious Commission.Conclusion  The consumption of common carp, silver carp and tilapia produced in wastewater‐fed ponds of Hanoi seems not to constitute a food safety problem with respect to As, Cd and Pb.
Skin disease among farmers using wastewater in rice cultivation in Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Authors: Trang Do Thuy , Van Der Hoek Wim , Tuan Nguyen Dang , Cam Phung Dac , Viet Vu Huu , Luu Do Duc , Konradsen Flemming , Dalsgaard Anders 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To assess the risk of skin disease among farmers occupationally exposed to wastewater.Methods  One‐year follow‐up study with monthly assessments of wastewater exposure and skin disease in Nam Dinh, northern Vietnam, in two adjacent communes with contrasting levels of wastewater use. In each commune, 200 households were randomly selected.Results  Of the 1103 individuals aged ≥15 years, 381 reported a skin problem at baseline or at any of the monthly visits, primarily dermatitis (eczema) and superficial fungal infections. Among the 874 subjects who were free from skin disease at baseline and who could be followed up ≥11 months, 183 developed a new skin disease (cumulative incidence 21%). Exposure to wastewater was a major risk factor for skin disease with a relative risk (RR) of 1.89 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.57] in multivariable analysis. Other risk factors for skin disease were involvement in agriculture in general (RR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.11–6.02), flower cultivation (RR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.83), vegetable farming (RR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.04–2.08), and a history of eczema (RR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.05–2.05).Conclusion  Exposure to wastewater is a major risk factor for skin disease. In future studies, an attempt should be made to link specific chemical or biological agents in the wastewater to specific skin diseases.
Sleeping hearts: the role of the heart in sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis)
Authors: Blum Johannes A. , Burri Christian , Hatz Christoph , Kazumba Leon , Mangoni Patrick , Zellweger Michael J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjectives  To estimate the frequency and evolution of heart involvement in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) using electrocardiogram (ECG) findings; to describe these findings and to assess the frequency and clinical relevance of symptoms and signs before and after treatment.Methods  In a prospective cohort study ECG findings, signs and symptoms consistent with heart failure and cardiac laboratory parameters were studied at baseline, 2 days after the end of treatment and 3 months later.Results  Major ECG alterations were significantly more frequent in HAT patients than in healthy controls (71%vs. 18%; P < 0.001); 31% were low voltage changes, 34% were repolarization changes. ECG signs of necrosis and conduction problems were rare. Symptoms consistent with heart failure such as exertional dyspnoea (19%vs. 1.7%; P = 0.002) or palpitations (18%vs. 5%; P = 0.28) occurred more frequently in patients than in controls. The median NT‐proBNP was significantly higher in HAT patients than in controls (85.2 vs. 28 pg/ml; P < 0.001). Troponin levels were normal. At the end of treatment repolarization changes appeared or worsened in 33.4%. Such changes improved or disappeared at follow‐up in 33.1% of the patients.Conclusions  Cardiac involvement documented by ECG alterations is common in HAT patients, but cardiopathy rarely causes severe congestive heart failure and subsides after treatment. ECG alterations immediately after treatment and their improvement 3 months later may be the result of a treatment‐induced inflammatory reaction.
Midwifery provision and uptake of maternity care in Indonesia
Authors: Achadi Endang , Scott Susana , Pambudi Eko S. , Makowiecka Krystyna , Marshall Tom , Adisasmita Asri , Deviany Poppy E , Ronsmans Carine 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjectives  To examine the association between midwife density, other characteristics of midwifery provision and village contextual factors, and the percentage of births attended by a health professional and deliveries via caesarean section in two districts in West Java, Indonesia.Methods  Analysis of: (i) a census of midwives; (ii) a population‐based survey of women who had delivered over a 2‐year period; (iii) a census of all caesareans in the four hospitals serving the two districts; and (iv) data from National Statistical Office.Results  At an average density of 2.2 midwives per 10 000 population, 33% of births are with a health professional, and 1% by caesarean section. Having at least six midwives per 10 000 population was associated with a fourfold increase in caesareans [adjusted risk ratio (RR) 4.3: 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3–5.5] and a threefold increase in the odds of having a health professional attend the delivery [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.88: 95% CI: 0.96–8.70]. The assigned midwife’s professional status and the duration of her service in the village were also associated with higher rates of health professionals’ attendance of delivery and caesareans. Regardless of the provision of services, women’s education and wealth were strong predictors of delivery with a health professional.Conclusions  Promoting a stable workforce of midwives, better financial access for the poor and expanding female education are important for the achievement of the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG‐5).
Viewpoint: Evaluating the impact of malaria control efforts on mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Rowe Alexander K. , Steketee Richard W. , Arnold Fred , Wardlaw Tessa , Basu Suprotik , Bakyaita Nathan , Lama Marcel , Winston Carla A. , Lynch Matthew , Cibulskis Richard E. , Shibuya Kenji , Ratcliffe Amy A. , Nahlen Bernard L. ,   for the Roll Back Malaria Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  To describe an approach for evaluating the impact of malaria control efforts on malaria‐associated mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa, where disease‐specific mortality trends usually cannot be measured directly and most malaria deaths occur among young children.Methods  Methods for evaluating changes in malaria‐associated mortality are examined; advantages and disadvantages are presented.Results  All methods require a plausibility argument—i.e., an assumption that mortality reductions can be attributed to programmatic efforts if improvements are found in steps of the causal pathway between intervention scale‐up and mortality trends. As different methods provide complementary information, they can be used together. We recommend following trends in the coverage of malaria control interventions, other factors influencing childhood mortality, malaria‐associated morbidity (especially anaemia), and all‐cause childhood mortality. This approach reflects decreases in malaria’s direct and indirect mortality burden and can be examined in nearly all countries. Adding other information can strengthen the plausibility argument: trends in indicators of malaria transmission, information from demographic surveillance systems and sentinel sites where malaria diagnostics are systematically used, and verbal autopsies linked to representative household surveys. Health facility data on malaria deaths have well‐recognized limitations; however, in specific circumstances, they could produce reliable trends. Model‐based predictions can help describe changes in malaria‐specific burden and assist with program management and advocacy.Conclusions  Despite challenges, efforts to reduce malaria‐associated mortality in Africa can be evaluated with trends in malaria intervention coverage and all‐cause childhood mortality. Where there are resources and interest, complementary data on malaria morbidity and malaria‐specific mortality could be added.
Incidence of primary dengue virus infections in Southern Vietnamese children and reactivity against other flaviviruses
Authors: Thai Khoa T. D. , Nga Tran Thi Thanh , Van Nam Nguyen , Phuong Hoang Lan , Giao Phan Trong , Hung Le Quoc , Binh Tran Quang , Van Doornum Gerard J. J. , De Vries Peter J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective To study the incidence of asymptomatic primary dengue infections among children and reactivity against other flaviviruses.Methods A total of 216 children, who had no dengue‐specific IgG antibodies during a serosurvey in 2003 were re‐examined 23 months later to determine if seroconversion had occurred. Dengue‐specific IgG was demonstrated with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reactivity patterns against other flaviviruses were assessed by using immunofluorescence assay (IFA).Results Sixty‐six children had seroconverted for dengue virus‐specific IgG; the true annual incidence of primary dengue was thus 17.3% (95% CI: 13.8–21.4). Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV)‐specific IgG antibodies were detected by IFA among three (4.6%) samples that showed seroconversion in the dengue ELISA, because of cross‐reactivity.Conclusion Our findings highlight the high incidence of dengue among Vietnamese children; JEV infections are rare. The true annual incidence of dengue can be estimated with a single cross‐sectional seroprevalence survey.