Active clinical trials for "Malaria"

The objective of this study was to determine the bioequivalence among three commercial tablet formulations of MQ, i.e. Lariam, Mephaquin, and Mefloquine-(AC Farma) when given in combination with artesunate.

The annual number of cases of clinical malaria worldwide is estimated to be 300-500 million leading to 1.5 million deaths. Delayed care and frequent drug resistance of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), the most frequent form of malaria, is responsible for these deaths. Each year, 5000-8000 travellers return to France with malaria, 4/5 from Africa and with Pf. Clinical features associated with a malaria crisis are poorly predictive and misdiagnosis can be easily made. Diagnosis of accurate malaria rely on microscopic examination of stained thin and thick blood films by a well trained microscopist. Few emergency wards are specialized for tropical diseases. For most of them, malaria is a rare disease and hours are lost before accurate microscopy can permit the decision

This study, conducted by NIH, the University of Bamako in Mali, Africa, and Tulane University will examine the relationships between hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), nitric oxide (a gas important in regulating blood vessel dilation and blood flow) and pulmonary hypertension in patients with malaria. Malaria is among the leading causes of death in many of the world s poorest countries. It is caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Malian children ages 1-5 years are eligible for participation in this study. They include children with asymptomatic infection, uncomplicated disease, and severe disease. Uninfected controls are also included. Upon enrollment, participants have a medical history and physical examination, echocardiogram (ultrasound test of heart function) and blood tests. In addition, all participants (infected children and controls) have repeat evaluations when healthy, approximately 7 to10 days following successful therapy.

This is a short longitudinal preliminary study that aims to describe the dynamics of low-density subclinical malaria to support the final study design of a subsequent matched cohort study. The primary objective is to assess the dynamics of subclinical malaria detected by ultrasensitive PCR over a short duration. The results will be used to guide the design of a matched cohort study of subclinical malaria in Myanmar and along its borders with China and Bangladesh

Background: The disease malaria affects many people in Liberia and other parts of Africa. It is caused by germs that are spread by mosquito bites. It may be mild but can be serious or can lead to death if not diagnosed and treated. Children younger than 5 years old and pregnant women are most at risk of malaria. Worms also infect many people in Liberia. They can be caused by mosquito bites or by touching soil or still water. Worm infections can be mild or serious. Doctors in Liberia and their NIH partners want to learn more about these diseases in women and children. Objective: To measure how much malaria and worm infections there are in pregnant women and children in two counties of Liberia. Eligibility: Pregnant women ages 18 and older and children ages 6 12 months seeking routine care at C.H. Rennie Hospital or the Duport Road Health Center Design: Participants will be screened with questions about their health or their child s health. Participants will be asked further questions about their health and about their home life. Participants will give a small amount of blood by finger prick. This will be tested to see if they have malaria or some types of worms, and for research studies. Participants who are sick from malaria will be treated at a study clinic. Treatment will follow standards of the Liberia and/or the World Health Organization.

A prospective cohort study, with 171 children admitted for severe malaria that will be included in the cohort. The study will take place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The primary objective is to evaluate the prevalence of five pre-specified pulmonary diagnoses that can be facilitated by the use of LUS (normal lung or acidotic breathing, ARDS, concomitant pneumonia, hydrostatic pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion).

Severe malaria and bacterial Blood Stream Infections (bBSI) are impossible to differentiate clinically. This poses a particular threat in low resource areas, where bBSI is often not diagnosed due to the unavailability of rapid diagnostic means. Even if used appropriately, the sensitivity of blood culture to diagnose bBSI is estimated to be around 50%. To counter the high mortality rate associated with bBSI, antibiotics are often prescribed without microbiological confirmation. Sysmex Company has developed technology that enables the rapid diagnosis of malaria using a venous blood sample. In addition algorithms based on hematological parameters can be used to monitor disease severity and progression, as well as guide further diagnostic testing based on differences seen in these parameters between various types of disease. The algorithms have been developed and tested in adult populations from different industrialized countries and in one Asian population. However no data are available neither from pediatric patients, nor from the sub-Saharan setting where the epidemiology of infectious diseases is very different from the tested settings. The objective of the study is to: 1) Assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Sysmex hematology analyzer based on the new technology to diagnose malaria in subjects older than 3 months, who present with an acute severe febrile illness in a malaria endemic area in sub-Saharan Africa 2) Test and optimize the value of Sysmex analyzers in disease diagnosis and monitoring in children older than 5 years and adults, who present with an acute severe febrile illness in a malaria endemic region in sub-Saharan Africa, to differentiate between severe malaria and bBSI, or a combination of these infections. 3) Explore the value of Sysmex analyzers in disease diagnosis and monitoring in children between 3 months and 5 years of age, who present with an acute severe febrile illness in a malaria endemic region in sub-Saharan Africa.

A longitudinal study on immune responses in relation to protection against clinical malaria episodes will be conducted in Apac District, Uganda. Three cohorts will be recruited: children 1 to 5 years of age (n=250), children 6 to 10 years of age (n=125) and adults 25 and above (n=125). After finger prick sampling (~300µL) and examination at enrolment, participants will be followed up for one year. Follow-up will include fortnightly active case detection and three-monthly cross-sectional surveys. Clinical malaria attacks and the associated clinical and parasitological parameters will be related to immunological profiles determined utilizing a protein microarray as a capture substratum to profile the humoral immune response against a vast number of parasite antigens. For individuals who experience a clinical malaria attack or who are diagnosed with high density parasitaemia (≥15,000 parasites/µL) during cross-sectional surveys, a 5mL blood sample is obtained to determine the diversity of parasite antigens in the population in relation to antigen recognition in the cohort.

The purpose of this study is to find new ways to control malaria by looking at mosquitoes infected with the disease. Knowledge of the genetics that affect the spread of malaria by mosquitoes will help in developing control strategies. A small amount of blood from infected humans will be used to infect the mosquitoes. No contact will occur between the human subject and the mosquito. Study participants will be divided into 2 groups of 20, for a total of 40 children, ages 5-10, in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Each subject will be screened by finger-prick once per month, from June through October, until they reach a maximum age of 10. Two positive subjects of the 40 screened will be asked to donate about 1 teaspoon of blood, which will be used to feed and infect the mosquitoes. Study participants will be involved in study related procedures for a maximum of 5 years.

The purpose of this study is to see why malaria epidemics occur in highland areas in Kenya. A better understanding of factors contributing to malaria may be necessary for malaria vaccine planning. These factors include interactions between age, where malaria is passed from mosquitoes to people, immune system (how the body fights infection) responses and other factors that contribute to malaria in epidemic-prone areas. About 6400 people from the villages of Kapsisiywa and Kipsamoite will participate. Study procedures will include in home surveys, which will involve a census and an interview by researchers. Blood samples and smears will be collected from some volunteers in both communities to understand how the body protects itself from malaria and to check for malaria parasites. Twice each month, random houses will be selected from 3 places in the village to measure the number of mosquitoes in the home. Participants may be involved in the study for up to 4 years.