Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2007
Susceptibility to chloroquine, mefloquine and artemisinin of Plasmodium vivax in northwestern Thailand.
The in vitro study had the objectives of monitoring the sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax to chloroquine and artemisinin, and to assess its baseline sensitivity to mefloquine in northwestern Thailand in an area near the border to Myanmar. The investigations were carried out in 2004 at the malaria clinics of Mae Sot, Chedi Ko and Mae Ka Sa, all in the district of Mae Sot, Province of Tak. The in vitro tests followed the method of Tasanor. ⋯ With mefloquine the EC(50) and EC(90) the (baseline) values were 131.6 nM and 972.6 nM, respectively, the GMCOC was 1987.0 nM. For artemisinin the EC(50) and EC(90) values were 8.7 nM and 105.2 nM, respectively, the GMCOC was 310.5 nM. As compared to 2002, the sensitivity of P. vivax to artemisinin has shown a slight but not significant increase.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2007
Development of a pharmacodynamic screening model with Entamoeba histolytica.
Human amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics, but also occurring in neighbouring parts of the temperate zones. Invasive amoebiasis causes dysentery and, by haematogenous spread, also extra-intestinal hepatic, pulmonary or cerebral abscesses, not rarely fatal conditions. The available anti-amoebic drugs have shortcomings regarding tolerability and efficacy. ⋯ After adapting the system to the use of 96-well (8 x 12) tissue culture plates, sensitivity tests were carried out with metronidazole, dehydroemetine and dihydroartemisinin as active control drugs, and seven extracts from Stemona tuberosa, Aglaia edulis, Aglaia elaeagnoidea and Aglaia odorata. Stem bark extract from Aglaia elaeagnoidea was the most active material with an IC(99) of 496 ng/ml and a slope S of 1.1325, followed by leaf extract from Stemona tuberosa with an IC(99) of 638 ng/ml and a slope S of 1.5648. All seven extracts showed full activity at concentrations <4000 ng/ml and qualified for further investigation.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2007
Historical ArticleHistory and perspectives of medical research at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon.
In 1913 Albert Schweitzer founded one of the first modern hospitals in Africa dedicated to the health of the local population. The Albert Schweitzer Hospital is located in Lambaréné, a small town in Gabon. ⋯ Studies on the molecular biology and immunology of parasitic diseases are fostered since the inauguration of a novel building dedicated for basic science. A training program in clinical research in tropical diseases for African scientists has been set up recently.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2007
[In vitro interaction studies of azithromycin and dihydroartemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bangladesh].
In recent clinical trials acithromycin in combination with artemisinin derivatives proved to be a promising combination therapy with indifferent to synergistic interaction. The aim of the present study was the assessment of optimal combination ratios for dihydroartemisinin and azithromycin for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The study was conducted in Bandarban, in Southeastern Bangladesh. ⋯ The sum fractional inhibitory concentrations (SFICs) at IC95 ranged from 0.89 to 1.16 for combination ratios of 1:500 and 1:5000, respectively. A trend towards lower SFICs was observed with rising inhibitory concentrations (i.e. at IC90 and IC95). Correlation analysis suggests a different mode of action for azithromycin as compared to traditional antimalarials.