A parasitological cross-sectional survey was undertaken from September 2000 through February 2001 to estimate the prevalence of malaria parasitemia in Eritrea. A total of 12,937 individuals from 176 villages were screened for both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasite species using the OptiMal Rapid Diagnostic Test. Malaria prevalence was generally low but highly focal and variable with the proportion of parasitemia at 2.2% (range: 0.4% to 6.5%). Despite no significant differences in age or sex-specific prevalence rates, 7% of households accounted for the positive cases and 90% of these were P. falciparum. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that mud walls were positively associated with malaria infection (OR [odds ratio] = 1.6 [95% CI: 1.2, 2.2], P < 0.008). For countries with low and seasonal malaria transmission, such information can help programs design improved strategic interventions.

No abstract

Phenytoin was determined in plasma or serum, dialysate from plasma or serum and saliva in 45 children and 7 adults by gas chromatography. 200 microliter of plasma were necessary for dialysis. Close correlations were found between phenytoin concentrations in the different media (r greater than or equal to 0.95). Since in some cases the levels in saliva were extremely high in comparison to plasma and dialysate, precautions are advisable when using phenytoin determinations in saliva for therapeutic decisions. Clinical data from 15 children with high phenytoin levels suggest that there is no advantage in determining the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma for the control of antiepileptic therapy.

Program/Project Purpose: Recent epidemics in Africa and natural disasters across the world have shown the challenging aspects of handling additional burdens on health care facilities in a resourceconstrained environment. There is a need for technology innovation to address global health infrastructure limitations. The implementation of a mobile facility engineered with a smart monitoring system allows for rapid augmentation of medical resources to meet increased medical needs in these settings.Abstract #: 1.077_HHR