Intermittent Prophylaxis Prevents Malaria in Infants
Giving infants preventive treatment for malaria can reduce malaria and anemia even in seasonal, high transmission areas such as Ghana, finds a study in this weeks British Medical Journal. But concern exists about a possible rebound when treatment is stopped, warn the authors.
The study followed more than 2,400 infants in Ghana who were given a preventive treatment for malaria or a placebo when they received routine vaccinations and at 12 months of age.
Preventive treatment reduced malaria by 25 percent and anemia by 35 percent up to age 15 months. However, malaria levels increased 20 percent when treatment was stopped in the second year of life.
The protective effect was also substantially lower than that reported from previous studies in Tanzania.
Because these findings run counter to earlier studies, the authors suggest that more data are needed to decide on the appropriate dose schedule for preventive drugs in areas with high seasonal transmission and its interaction with insecticide treated bed nets.
However, intermittent preventive treatment in infants, linked to the expanded program of immunization schedule, has the potential to reduce the burden of malaria even in areas with high seasonal transmission, they conclude.
Reference: Cluster randomized trial of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in infants in areas of high, seasonal transmission in Ghana BMJ Volume 331, pp 727-33.
Source: British Medical Journal
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
