Despite changes in policy in many African countries, most cases of malaria are still treated with old drugs that often fail, say researchers in this weeks British Medical Journal. The steady increase of drug-resistant malaria across Africa has prompted many countries to adopt artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) as policy. These drug combinations are highly effective, and appear to be safe and well tolerated.
Yet a study from Zambia, one of the first adopters of ACTs, shows that only 22 percent of children eligible for ACTs actually received them. Although the use of chloroquine was successfully discontinued, the change in drug policy does not necessarily translate into adequate use of this drug at the point of care, the authors conclude.
These challenges are discussed in an accompanying editorial. Dr. Christopher Whitty and colleagues believe that the primary problem with deployment of ACTs in Africa is cost, but equally challenging is how to deploy ACTs to maximize their effectiveness and cost effectiveness.
The clear tension between the need to restrict drug use to slow the development of drug resistance, and the need to expand access so that malaria is treated before it becomes severe, is also a formidable barrier, they add.
All of these problems can only be solved through partnership between African ministries and regional and local international researchers, they write. ACT deployment has the potential to be one of the major public health interventions for Africa in this decade. We must get it right.
Reference: Treatment of paediatric malaria during a period of drug transition to artemether-lumefantrine in Zambia: cross sectional study BMJ Volume 331, pp 734-7
Source: British Medical Journal
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.