Direct Cost of Severe Malaria Treatment Borne by the Families of Children Aged 0 - 5 Years at the Fana Reference Health Centre, Mali

Introduction: Malaria is both a disease caused by poverty and a cause of poverty. Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Mali and is among the ten countries with the highest number of malaria cases and deaths. The objective was to estimate the direct economic cost borne by families in the treatment of severe malaria in children aged 0 - 5 years at the CSREF in Fana. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional, conducted from July 2017 to June 2018 with inclusion criteria and prospective data collection. The methodology was based on estimating the direct economic cost of severe malaria. Results: The sample consisted of 109 cases out of a total of 944 hospitalizations;59% of whom were boys and the 25 - 36 month age group was the most affected. The complications frequently encountered were severe anemia (50 cases) or 45.8%;convulsions (35 cases) or 32.1% and finally severe sepsis (8 cases) or 7.3%. The average direct cost was 25,324 Franc CFA (58.95 US Dollars) of which 66% represented the costs of medicines and consumables against 4% for the consultation. This cost was more than half the minimum wage in Mali. Conclusion: Despite the difficulties in estimating the cost in hospitals, the results obtained give us an estimate of the economic burden borne by families in the management of severe malaria cases among children in the district of Fana. Support is needed for parents in the fight against malaria in rural Mali.

Quality of Management of Severe Malaria Cases in Children under Five: A Case of Four Health Facilities in the Littoral Department in Benin

Background: Benin republic is a sub-Saharan African country endemic to malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. To reduce the death rate due to this scourge, it is essential to ensure quality care, especially for children under five years who are the most vulnerable. The main objective of this study is to assess the quality of severe malaria case management in patients under five years. Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was performed in health facilities in Cotonou city, the economic capital of Benin Republic. Study sample included 205 suspected cases of severe malaria among children aged under five years, in four health facilities. In each of hospitals, all children under five years with severe malaria presumption were enrolled in the study. Quality was assessed through five components: diagnosis, treatment, patient monitoring, counselling/advice, and patient’s follow-up. Based on the Benin Republic’s malaria case management standard protocol, the assessment criteria of each component were defined. Results: The sex ratio was 1.25 boys to a girl. The median of hospitalisation duration was 3 days with first quartile (Q1) = 2 and third quartile (Q3) = 5. Among 205 severe malaria cases included, 157 (76.59%) were not managed in accordance with the requirements of the national protocol of malaria case management. The different components of cases management are not all implemented during the care of patients. Conclusion: There is a need for training to health workers on implementation of severe malaria in children under 5 years protocol. Also, there is a need for investigation about factors associated with malaria protocol implementation.

Post-Quinine Bilious Hemoglobin Fever in an 8-Year-Old Child Monitored for Severe Malaria at the Yalosase Health Center, Isangi, DR Congo

It has been known since March 2013 that Artesunate is considered the gold standard treatment for severe malaria [1] [2] [3]. However, in our regions, the drug of choice available to treat patients with severe malaria remains quinine until today. However, frequent and sequential use of quinine is associated with the occurrence of hemoglobinuria [2]. We report a probable case of bilious hemoglobin fever (BHF) in an 8-year-old child. This was an 8-year-old child with a history of frequent and recent treatment with quinine, received in consultation for coca-cola urine emission with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) positive. In search of a particular terrain, the retroviral and syphilitic serologies were negative. Considering the context, the diagnosis of post-quinine hemoglobin bilious fever (BHF) was retained and the patient had progressed well after administration of artemisinin and its derivatives. The child was followed, on an outpatient basis, without any sequelae. It would therefore be prudent for the time being to avoid them in prophylaxis and self-medication.

Progression of Frequency and Lethality of Severe Malaria from 2017 to 2020 in the Pediatric Unit of CHUD-Parakou (Benin)

Background: The latest WHO report shows a decline in the performances achieved concerning the fight against malaria since 2017. This research work aimed to investigate the progression of frequency and lethality due to severe malaria from 2017 to 2020 in the pediatric unit of the Borgou University Teaching Hospital in Parakou (CHUD-Parakou). Patients and Methods: This research work is a descriptive and analytical case-control study focused on all the children aged 1 month and more, hospitalized in the pediatric unit of CHUD-Parakou from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Recruitment criteria were the following: be admitted to hospital during the period specified above;have a usable medical record containing the diagnosis and type of discharge, and the findings of thick smear examination and/or of a rapid diagnostic test. Sampling was complete and takes into account all the medical records of children meeting the inclusion criteria. Epi Info 7.2.2 was the software used to perform data processing. Results: The frequencies of severe malaria in the unit were estimated at 19.89%, 22.65%, 29.65% and 27.51% respectively in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Lethality rates varied from 7.76% to 8.68 from 2017 through 2020. The death risk associated with severe malaria was 3.08 times higher in children suffering from severe acute undernutrition. Conclusion: Despite all the efforts made by the health authorities and the technical and financial partners, the frequency and lethality of severe malaria are increasing in the pediatric unit of the B/A Regional University Teaching Hospital (CHUD-B/A). It is therefore worth investigating the determinants of this situation.

The Determinants of Fatal Outcomes during Severe Malaria in Children at the HKM University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou-Benin

Introduction: Malaria particularly affects children in sub-Saharan African countries. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with death in cases of severe childhood malaria to better understand the determinants of death in these children. Patients and Methods: This cohort, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from April 1 to August 15, 2015, at the CNHU-HKM pediatric clinic in Cotonou. Recruitment was exhaustive for all patients under 15 years of age who were admitted for severe malaria, as confirmed by thick smear microscopy. Results: Among the 1774 admitted patients, 449 had severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (i.e., a hospital frequency of 25.31%). The age group most affected consisted of children younger than 60 months of age (73%);female predominance was noted. The lethality rate of malaria was 13.1% (n = 59). The factors associated with death were coma (p = 0.032), poor convulsive status epilepticus (p = 0.08) and bacterial co-infection by gram negative bacteria (p = 0.021) with respectively correlations coefficient of 0.003, 3.940 and 2.424. Conclusion: Reduction of the malaria mortality rates in Benin hospitals will depend on appropriate management of poor prognostic factors, such as coma, bacterial co-infection and convulsive illness.

Acquisition of naturally acquired antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1-DBLα and differential regulation of IgG subclasses in severe and uncomplicated malaria

Objectives: To explore whether individuals infected with Plasmodium falciparum(P. falciparum) develop antibodies directed against Pf EMP1-DBLa, and to assess their IgG subclass distribution in severe and uncomplicated malaria.Methods: The anti-PfDBLα IgG and their IgG subclass distributions in plasma of severe(SM) and uncomplicated malaria(UCM) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. The antibody profiles to P. falciparum blood stage antigens were evaluated. CD36 binding ability was determined by static receptor-binding assays.Rosette formation was performed by staining with acridine orange.Results: Significantly higher number of UCM(86.48%) than SM(57.78%) plasma contained total acquisition of specific IgG to P. falciparum antigens(P = 0.000). Similar manners were seen in response to P. falciparum DBLa with significant difference(UCM,59.46% vs SM, 40.00%; P = 0.014). Anti-PfDBLα-IgG1 and-IgG3 were the predominant subclasses. Similar percentage of UCM(31.82%) and SM(33.33%) plasma contained only IgG1, while 13.64% of UCM and 27.78% of SM plasma contained only IgG3. AntiPfDBLα-IgG1 coexpressed with more than one subclass was noted(UCM, 27.27%; SM,16.67%). Obviously, IgG1 coexpressed with IgG3(9.09%) was observed in only UCM plasma. IgG1 was coexpressed with IgG2 in UCM(9.09%) and SM(11.11%) plasma,while IgG1 was coexpressed with IgG4 only in UCM plasma(4.55%). IgG subclasses to P. falciparum antigens were distributed in a similar manner. Only the levels of IgG1, but not IgG3 were significantly higher in UCM than in SM.Conclusions: These data suggest that individuals infected with P. falciparum can develop the anti-Pf EMP1 antibodies with the major contribution of specific IgG subclasses. The balance and the levels of anti-PfDBLα IgG subclasses play a crucial role in antibody mediated protection against severe malaria.

Cross-sectional prevalence and pattern of non-anaemia severe malaria among 2–10 year olds in Sokoto in Northwestern Nigeria

Malaria is highly prevalent in Nigeria and accounts for approximately 40%of global malaria mortality.However,most reports on severe malaria in Nigeria are from hospital-based studies without accurate information from communities;thus,malaria-related deaths in the community are left untracked.This study aimed to describe the prevalence and pattern of severe malaria in a community in Northwestern Nigeria.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2–10-year-old children in Sokoto,in August and December 2016,to determine the endemicity of malaria based on Plasmodium falciparum prevalence rate(PfPR2-10)and to describe the disease pattern.Severe malaria was diagnosed according to the World Health Organisation criteria.Data were described using Stata version 15.The prevalence of non-anaemia severe malaria was higher than expected(2.6%),considering the endemicity pattern which was mesoendemic based on a PfPR2-10 of 34.8%.The mean age of children with severe malaria was 3.73 years,and the male—female ratio was 2:1.However,54.0%of the patients had hyperparasitaemia.A relatively high prevalence of non-anaemia severe malaria was found in Wamakko.This finding suggests the need to identify and treat cases in the community using modifications of current strategies,particularly seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Severe Childhood Malaria at the University Hospital of Brazzaville

Introduction: Malaria management has been a source of concern for health systems since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Objective: To assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on severe childhood malaria in Brazzaville. Material and Method: A quasi-experimental intervention/non-intervention study was carried out between March and October 2020 in the pediatric departments of the Brazzaville University Hospital. Children aged three months to 15 years hospitalized were the target population. Two groups were formed: the “intervention” group, that of children hospitalized between March and October 2020 and the “control” group that of those hospitalized between January and August 2015. The study variables were epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic. Chi-square and T-Student tests were used. The impact of the intervention was assessed by the absolute risk difference. Results: Of 1392 children hospitalized, 199 (14.6%) had severe malaria with an average age of 6.94 years. These were children under 5 years old n = 95 (47.7%) of low socioeconomic level n = 145 (72.9%) seen on average after 4.6 +/? 2.4 days. Repeated convulsions (56.8%) and anemia (20.1%) were the main reasons for hospitalization. These were isolated forms (n = 146;73.4%) of which n = 84 (42.2%) neurological and n = 62 (31.2%) anemic. The lethality was 13.1%. Delayed consultation, fever, repeated convulsions, pallor, respiratory distress, sickle cell anemia, thrombocytopenia and hypoglycemia are associated with death. The risk difference for signs of severity between the two periods was 16.6 for repeated convulsions;14.3 for severe anemia. The relative risk between the two studies was 1.8. Conclusion: The increase in morbidity and mortality in severe malaria since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic encourages the maintenance of the balance between the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and that of other worrying health problems.

Severe Childhood Malaria in Two Health Districts of Cuvette-Congo

Introduction: Malaria is a public health problem. Severe forms of malaria are linked to high mortality. Objective: To establish the cartography of severe malaria in two health districts in Cuvette-Congo. Methodology: An analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2019 in two health districts of Cuvette-Congo. Children aged three months to 17 years diagnosed with severe malaria were included. The epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical variables were analyzed. The statistical tests used were Pearson’s chi2 and the corrected Yates test. Results: Out of 806 children hospitalized, 277 had severe malaria (34.4%). There were 144 boys and 133 girls, an average of 60.9 months old. Anemia n = 247 (89.2%), repeated seizures n = 66 (23.8%), were the signs of severity observed. The clinical forms were isolated (n = 237) in 85.6% and associated (n = 40) in 14.4%, including 210 (88.6%) anemic form and 27 (11.4%) neurological form. The death occurred in seven cases (2.5%). The predictors of death were coma, jaundice, hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatomegaly, undernutrition, dehydration and delayed consultation. Conclusion: The large number of cases of severe malaria in Cuvette, often in children under five years old, requires that the national program for control of malaria be strengthened by insisting on a wide distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Definition of hyperparasitemia in severe falciparum malaria should be updated

Hyperparasitemia is one criterion of severe falciparum malariaby World Health Organization(WHO)for more than two decades[1].Although there is a correlation between density of parasittemiaand severity of malaria,some individuals with high parasite countsmay not be severely ill,whereas others with low parasitemia mayhave ultimately fatal infections.Hyperparasitemia(more than 5%

How Not to Miss a Case of Malaria in Emergency Department in Malaria Non-Endemic Areas? Practical Approach &Experiences in Hong Kong

Human malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne protozoan parasitic infection in human involving female anopheline mosquitoes as vector for transmission. It is caused by Plasmodium species, most commonly, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. falciparum, and rarely P. knowlesi. Malaria remains a significant global health issue and is a medical emergency. It is also an important cause of morbidity and mortality in endemic areas, particularly in at-risk groups. In Hong Kong, where malaria is non-endemic, more than 20 cases of malaria per year have been notified in recent years. We still have chances encountering patients with malaria presented to public or private emergency departments. High index of clinical suspicious is utmost important for not missing a case of malaria. A practical approach for prompt identification of patients with severe malaria is essential, followed by appropriate initiation of appropriate effective antimalarial treatment within 24 to 48 hours of symptoms onset after blood taken for thick and thin smears for diagnosis. Vigilance with increased awareness of not falling into common diagnostic traps has to be alerted. The risk of missing any case of malaria presenting to emergency department could be largely minimized.

Diagnosis and management of malaria in the intensive care unit

Malaria is responsible for approximately three-quarters of a million deaths in humans globally each year.Most of the morbidity and mortality reported are from Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia,where the disease is endemic.In non-endemic areas,malaria is the most common cause of imported infection and is associated with significant mortality despite recent advancements and investments in elimination programs.Severe malaria often requires intensive care unit admission and can be complicated by cerebral malaria,respiratory distress,acute kidney injury,bleeding complications,and co-infection.Intensive care management includes prompt diagnosis and early initiation of effective antimalarial therapy,recognition of complications,and appropriate supportive care.However,the lack of diagnostic capacities due to limited advances in equipment,personnel,and infrastructure presents a challenge to the effective diagnosis and management of malaria.This article reviews the clinical classification,diagnosis,and management of malaria as relevant to critical care clinicians,highlighting the role of diagnostic capacity,treatment options,and supportive care.

Febrile Seizures in Children at the Departmental Teaching Hospital of OuéméPlateau: Etiologies and Risk Factors for Death

Background: Febrile seizures are the most frequent neurological disorder in pediatrics. They have multiple etiologies and require urgent management. The aim of this survey was to study febrile seizures in children at the Departmental Teaching Hospital of Ouémé Plateau (DTH/OP). Method: This was a cross-sectional survey, conducted from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, in the pediatric department of the DTH/OP. Children aged 1 month to 18 years, hospitalized for febrile seizures recognized at the anamnesis and/or during the physical examination were included in this study. Results: The frequency of seizures was 17.08% (510/2986). The male to female ratio was equal to 1.4. The mean age was 44.27 ± 40.75 months. The seizure was generalized tonic-clonic in 77.9% of cases and localized in 11.6% of cases. The main etiologies were severe malaria (75.5%), sepsis (21.6%), enteric infections (14.9%) and pneumonia (10.2%). Diazepam was the anticonvulsant treatment used in the first intention (79.7%). Most of the children were hospitalized for 3 to 7 days. The recovery rate was 82.3% and the fatality rate was equal to 17.7%. Eight children presented sequelae. There was a statistically significant link between the children’s clinical outcome and age (p < 0.001);severe malaria (p < 0.001);sepsis (p < 0.001) and enteric infections (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Febrile seizures were frequent in the pediatric emergency department of the DTH/OP. There is a need to intensify sensitization on malaria prevention measures in the community and improve case management at the hospital.