The non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, has launched a new, malaria prevention campaign in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa aimed at protecting the illnesses' most vulnerable population - children under the age of five. During the campaigns at the height of malaria season - from July to October - young children will be offered so-called … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Testing of Pediatric Fevers: Meta-Analysis of 13 National Surveys Assessing Influences of Malaria Endemicity and Source of Care on Test Uptake for Febrile Children under Five Years
In 2010, the World Health Organization revised guidelines to recommend diagnosis of all suspected malaria cases prior to treatment. There has been no systematic assessment of malaria test uptake for pediatric fevers at the population level as countries start implementing guidelines. We examined test use for pediatric fevers in relation to malaria endemicity and treatment-seeking behavior in … [Read more...]
HIV treatment reduces risk of malaria recurrence in children
A combination of anti-HIV drugs has been found to also reduce the risk of recurrent malaria by nearly half among HIV-positive children, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. … [Read more...]
Polymorphism in the Human FAS Gene Promoter Associated with Severe Childhood Malaria
Human genetics and immune responses are considered to critically influence the outcome of malaria infections including life-threatening syndromes caused by Plasmodium falciparum. An important role in immune regulation is assigned to the apoptosis-signaling cell surface receptor CD95 (Fas, APO-1), encoded by the gene FAS. Here, a candidate-gene association study including variant discovery … [Read more...]
What age can be affected by malaria?
QUESTION: A child of what age can be affected from cerebral malaria or malaria? ANSWER: People of all ages can be affected by malaria, which is what makes it such a public health burden in so many places. Severe symptoms of the disease, such as the manifestation of cerebral malaria that you mention, can also be seen in children of all ages as well as adults. However, generally, younger … [Read more...]