Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) August 7, 2008
Integrating efforts to control malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is an inexpensive and efficient remedy to reduce the incidence of deadly tropical anemia in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new analysis published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Neglected Tropical Diseases. In this region, a lot of folks are co-infected with malaria and NTDs such as hookworm and schistosomiasis. Malaria alone kills far more than 1 million youngsters each year, and NTDs afflict hundreds of millions far more.
The new analysis, ''Tropical Anemia: 1 of Africa's Excellent Killers and a Rationale for Linking Malaria and Neglected Tropical Illness Control to Achieve a Frequent Objective,'' makes a compelling case for integrating approaches to control malaria and NTDs in order to mitigate their devastating impacts in a cost-powerful way. Together, malaria and the seven most common NTDs cause practically two million deaths and are responsible for the loss of nearly 100 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually - virtually 20% higher than the illness burden from HIV/AIDS. Both malaria and NTDs cause immense suffering largely by means of anemia, a deficiency in hemoglobin usually accompanied by a decreased number of red blood cells. Anemia accounts for up to half of the malaria deaths in young kids, and is a main contributor to both the enormous burden of maternal deaths during pregnancy and to premature births. Chronic anemia in young youngsters is also tied to reduction in physical growth, impaired cognition, and poor school performance.
Co-infection with malaria and one or much more NTDs (particularly hookworm infection or schistosomiasis, two of the most common NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa) causes a pronounced exacerbation of anemia. Severe hemoglobin deficiencies are the manifestation of co-infection of malaria and NTDs, shown to be markedly higher than in those with only a single infection. This phenomenon is commonly referred to the "best storm of anemia."
Malaria control and NTD control have every been found to decrease anemia in both kids and pregnant ladies. "Combining malaria and NTD control practices in a unified anemia framework affords one of the finest opportunities to lessen the excellent storm of anemia morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa," said Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, President of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Walter G. Ross Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine at The George Washington University.
The analysis also stated that, "in addition to the health improvement that would result from anemia reduction, there is also some evidence that hookworm and schistosomiasis (and possibly other NTDs) could promote increased susceptibility to malaria, so that NTD control would work in synergy with nets and other measures to minimize malaria incidence." The use of bed-nets was shown to boost substantially - in some cases nine-fold - when utilized alongside NTD control efforts.
"Based on this link, the public-private partnerships of the Global Network for NTDs are working to identify opportunities for integrating malaria and NTD control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa," said Kari Stoever, Managing Director of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. "The Network's powerful system of delivering treatment by way of trained local community coordinators is an perfect way to enhance malaria control and NTD control efforts and, ultimately, minimize deadly cases of these diseases and anemia."
Noting that NTD control can price as little as 50 cents per person per year, the authors stated that this affordable investment would be "another promising, low-price and highly price-successful, and complementary approach for potentially decreasing the morbidity of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa."
"An integrated control program for tropical anemia in Africa represents 1 of our better hopes for a fast win in the fight for sustainable illness control and poverty reduction integration," Dr. Hotez and Dr. Molyneux concluded. By taking a a lot more holistic approach to disease control and prevention, we can lastly support the people of sub-Saharan Africa break out of the cycle of poverty that has been plaguing them for so lengthy.
''Tropical Anemia: 1 of Africa's Fantastic Killers and a Rationale for Linking Malaria and Neglected Tropical Illness Control to Achieve a Common Goal'' is co-authored by Dr. Peter. J. Hotez (Executive Director of the Global Network for NTDs, President of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Walter G. Ross Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine at George Washington University) and David H. Molyneux (Professor of Tropical Well being Sciences at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Director of the Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre).
About the Global Network
The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, a significant program of the Sabin Vaccine
Institute, is a partnership dedicated to eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) - the most common infections impacting one billion of the world's poorest people. The Global Network is comprised of international non-profit organizations with decades of on-the-ground encounter in fighting disabling, disfiguring, and deadly NTDs. By way of strong collaboration with the World Well being Organization, pharmaceutical businesses, and illness-endemic countries, the Global Network (http://www.globalnetwork.org) works to enhance access to inexpensive, successful medicines to boost and save lives.
Members of the Global Network:
The Earth Institute at Columbia University
Helen Keller International
International Trachoma Initiative
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Schistosomiasis Control Initiative
The Job Force for Child Survival and Development
About the Sabin Vaccine Institute
Sabin Vaccine Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to lowering human suffering from infectious and neglected diseases. By way of its efforts in vaccine analysis, development and advocacy, Sabin works to provide higher access to vaccines and vital medicines for millions stuck in pain, poverty and despair. Founded in 1993 in honor of Dr. Albert B. Sabin, discoverer of the oral polio vaccine, the Sabin Institute works with prestigious institutions, scientists, medical professionals, and organizations to give short and lengthy-term solutions that result in healthier people, families and communities around the globe. For more info about Sabin's analysis and commitment, check out: http://www.sabin.org .
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