Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). Both KSHV and HIV infections are endemic in Uganda, where KS is among the most common cancers in HIV-infected individuals.Recent studies examined the use of small RNAs as biomarkers of disease, including microRNAs (miRNAs), with viral and tumor-derived miRNAs being detected in exosomes from individuals with … [Read more...]
Notes from the Field: Q&A with Jackline
Jackline is a Ugandan medical doctor and maternal health specialist. Malaria.com caught up with Jackline to ask her a few questions about her work, and specifically her observations on the impacts of malaria on pregnant women.What is a typical day like for you when working in the field?A typical day involves waking up at 6am, preparing for the day and by 8am I am in the ward. First I … [Read more...]
The Private Sector and Access to Malaria Diagnostics and Treatment in Uganda
Malaria, a disease that has caused so much loss of human life, has also greatly exemplified goodwill for collaboration in Uganda. The Ugandan government with support from donor communities, research and academia has worked to increase coverage of life-saving interventions to impact upon the burden of malaria; there is improved malaria case management, and more pregnant mothers have access to long … [Read more...]
My Experience with Malaria: A Personal Account
KAMPALA, UGANDA -- School in Mbarara about 19 years ago, I had several malaria attacks. At the time, the foul smelling Chloroquine was the basic treatment, and many students dreaded taking it. Chloroquine, unlike other conventional drugs, had no sugar coating, and if you tried to swallow and it failed to go down, the impact would be terribly discomforting.One day I religiously took my full … [Read more...]
Correlates of Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics to Patients with Malaria in Uganda
In many rural areas of Uganda, febrile patients presenting to health facilities are prescribed both antimalarials and antibiotics, contributing to the overuse of antibiotics. We identified the prevalence and correlates of inappropriate antibiotic management of patients with confirmed malaria.MethodsWe utilized individual outpatient data from 36 health centers from January to September … [Read more...]
Malaria or Kidney Infection?
QUESTIONTwo months ago my daughter was in Uganda working and when came back to the States she was hospitalized for 4 days with Malaria symptoms. Her tests came back negative they really didn't act like they knew how to treat this. They kept telling her they didn't know how to diagnosis Malaria. So they treated her for it. She now after 2 months is once again hospitalized with the same … [Read more...]
What does the goverment do to help malaria?
QUESTIONDoes the goverment help malaria?ANSWERMany governments around the world assist in controlling malaria. Some countries, like Australia and the United States, used to have malaria transmission occur within their own borders, but through dedicated control programs, have managed to eradicate the disease locally. In these cases, the government coordinated huge programs of draining … [Read more...]
Malaria Deaths by Country
QUESTIONWhere are the most deaths of malaria?ANSWEROver 90% of the deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in children under the age of five. According to the World Health Organisation's 2011 World Malaria Report, the countries with the five highest numbers of reported malaria deaths for 2010 are (and number of reported deaths): Kenya (26,017 deaths), Democratic Republic … [Read more...]
HIV Antiretrovirals May Help Fight Malaria
Bed nets and insecticides form the cornerstone of malaria prevention, with antimalarial drugs being used mainly to treat people who become ill with the disease. The drugs do have some protective effect, but it quickly wanes. Now a study in Uganda suggests that an antiretroviral drug given to HIV-infected children can boost the preventive power of a key malaria drug. … [Read more...]
Where There is No Medicine, Let Alone a Doctor
Remote or poorly accessible communities create special challenges for delivery of health care.There were goats in my classroom this morning. Quite adorable kids, but unfortunately not the right species for my health survey. The school is located in Bunda District, sandwiched between Lake Victoria and the long western arm of Serengeti National Park, which stops only a few kilometers from the … [Read more...]