Shrinking the malaria map
There is a new study by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) who have developed a reliable way to accurately identify so-called “hot spots” of malaria transmission. According to the authors, the heterogeneity of risk of malaria within populations “creates opportunities for targeted interventions, but only if hot spots of malaria transmission can be identified.”
New Technique May Quickly Distinguish between Active and Latent TB
An emerging technique designed to quickly distinguish between people with active and dormant tuberculosis may help health professionals diagnose the disease sooner, thereby potentially limiting early exposure to the disease, according to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center.
Mexico going green in the fight against Malaria
Insecticides such as DDT have long been used to combat the scourge of malaria in the developing world. But with the disease parasite becoming increasingly adept at resisting the chemical onslaught, some countries are achieving striking success by eliminating the environmental conditions that give rise to malarial mosquitoes.
Disabling Crucial Structure in TB Bacterium may Assist New Drug Design
Scientists have found that by disabling an important structure in the TB bacterium, especially one that is essential to the bacterium’s survival, it may be possible to destroy the microbes in the infected host and halt the progress of TB infections.
Crucell and NIH Announce Start of Malaria Vaccine Trial in Burkina Faso
Dutch biopharmaceutical company Crucell N.V. today announced the start of a Phase I clinical study in Burkina Faso of its AdVac®-based malaria vaccine vector. Crucell is developing its malaria vaccine vector in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme (CNRFP) in Burkina Faso, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the University of Ghana. The study is a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, dosage- escalation clinical trial evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of the recombinant malaria vaccine vector Ad35-CS in malaria semi-immune, healthy adult volunteers living in Burkina Faso. This is the first study evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of this AdVac®-based malaria vaccine vector candidate in a population residing in a malaria endemic area.
Global Fund Oks $4 Million For Fiji TB Program
Fiji’s Ministry of Health and the Global Fund have signed a FJ$9 million [US$4.5 million] agreement to help reduce tuberculosis in Fiji.
AIDS War Is Falling Apart In Uganda
Uganda is the first and most obvious example of how the war on global AIDS is falling apart.
As the Need Grows, the Money for AIDS Runs Far Short
Appeals to raise money for AIDS are ubiquitous — but the gap between what is needed and what is collected is enormous, and growing.
United Nations raises awareness of malaria in Africa
The United Nations “Nothing But Nets” campaign were at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas to raise awareness of the serious issue of malaria in Africa. The campaign urges people to donate $30 so the organization can send nets to refugees living in camps.
300 Cases of TB Diagnosed in Cunene Province
About 306 new cases of tuberculosis were detected in the southern Cunene Province, by the local health authorities, in the first quarter of the current year. According to the head of Cunene’s public health department, João Perdo, in comparison to the previous three months there was an increase of 101 cases.
