Novel use Of Hydroxyurea in an African Region with Malaria (NOHARM): A trial for children with sickle cell anemia

Key Points:

1. Compared to placebo, hydroxyurea did not increase the incidence or severity of malaria events in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia.

2. Hydroxyurea provided significant clinical and laboratory benefits, suggesting it will be safe and effective across sub-Saharan Africa.

Novel use Of Hydroxyurea in an African Region with Malaria (NOHARM): A trial for children with sickle cell anemia

Key Points:

1. Compared to placebo, hydroxyurea did not increase the incidence or severity of malaria events in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia.

2. Hydroxyurea provided significant clinical and laboratory benefits, suggesting it will be safe and effective across sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract

Hydroxyurea treatment is recommended for children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) living in high-resource malaria-free regions, but its safety and efficacy in malaria-endemic sub-Saharan Africa, where the greatest sickle cell burden exists, remain unknown.

In vitro studies suggest hydroxyurea could increase malaria severity, and hydroxyurea-associated neutropenia could worsen infections. NOHARM was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted in malaria-endemic Uganda, comparing hydroxyurea to placebo at 20 ± 2.5 mg/kg/day for 12 months.

The primary outcome was incidence of clinical malaria. Secondary outcomes included SCA-related adverse events, clinical and laboratory effects, and hematological toxicities. Children received either hydroxyurea (N=104) or placebo (N=103).

Malaria incidence did not differ between children on hydroxyurea [0.05 episodes/child/year, 95% CI (0.02, 0.13)] versus placebo [0.07 episodes/child/year (0.03, 0.16)]; the hydroxyurea/placebo malaria incidence rate ratio was 0.7 [(0.2, 2.7), p=0.61].

Time to infection also did not differ significantly between treatment arms. A composite SCA-related clinical outcome (vaso-occlusive painful crisis, dactylitis, acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, or blood transfusion) was less frequent with hydroxyurea (45%) than placebo (69%, p=0.001).

Children receiving hydroxyurea had significantly increased hemoglobin concentration and fetal hemoglobin, with decreased leukocytes and reticulocytes. Serious adverse events, sepsis episodes, and dose-limiting toxicities were similar between treatment arms.

Three deaths occurred (two hydroxyurea, one placebo, none from malaria). Hydroxyurea treatment appears safe for children with SCA living in malaria-endemic sub-Saharan Africa, without increased severe malaria, infections, or adverse events. Hydroxyurea provides SCA-related laboratory and clinical efficacy, but optimal dosing and monitoring regimens for Africa remain undefined.

Aim 1. Establish needed research expertise in Uganda in the areas of:

1.Neurodevelopmental and cognitive assessment, through training of two doctoral students and a post-doctoral fellow in neuropsychology at Makerere

2. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of infection-related brain injury, through doctoral training for epidemiology, microbiology and immunology at Makerere University, and biostatistics at the University of Minnesota; and Masters of Medicine training for two residents at Makerere University in translational infectious disease and neurology

All students will conduct their research within the University of Minnesota-Makerere University cerebral malaria and meningitis research projects and will participate in integrated core training. This training is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. At completion of training, graduates will be ready for positions as university faculty or in the Ministry of Health, working on research and/or interventions to understand, prevent and treat infection-related neurocognitive impairment.

Aim 2. Identify and implement best practices in faculty mentorship at Makerere University. A mentorship committee will be set up with faculty from Makerere University and the University of Minnesota (UMN). This committee will review guidelines and best practices information from other universities, conduct a survey of faculty at Makerere University and peer universities, and develop best practices guidelines for mentorship at Makerere University. These practices will then be implemented in the departments involved in this training grant, and feedback obtained after one year that will allow for revision of guidelines. By the grant’s completion, a document for mentorship training will be generated and provided to Makerere University leadership for consideration of University-wide implementation.

Aim 3. Build research capacity in Uganda through workshop and short-term training for medical, laboratory, and database personnel.

Focused workshop and short-term training will be provided to medical, neuropsychology, laboratory, and database personnel involved with the study and other research studies at Makerere University, to build on-site research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and neurodevelopment research. At the project completion, quantifiable improvement in research capacity will lead to an improved research environment that supports further independent work in infectious disease and neurodevelopment.

A2. Rationale

The excellent teaching and training facilities at Makerere University, including the Makerere University Microbiology and Immunology laboratories and the clinical and data offices allow for most training and course work to be performed in Uganda. Supplemental course work and laboratory training will be provided at the UMN for PhD students and post-doctoral fellows, and distance learning capabilities and visiting lecturers from UMN will provide important UMN resources to trainees who remain in Uganda. The Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Translational Research (CIDMTR) at UMN provides a particularly excellent site for higher-level laboratory and epidemiology and biostatistics training. The combination of course work and integrated core training, including clinical, lab, and neuropsychology rotations for all trainees, and the interdisciplinary nature of the research grants in which trainees will conduct research, provide an excellent basis for development of well-rounded researchers willing to explore complex research questions. The training focus of this proposal, bringing together basic science, clinical, epidemiologic and statistical researchers to better understand and prevent infection-relate neurocognitive impairment, addresses a major gap in translational infectious disease research training in Uganda. The novel training proposed will create a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers who can work together to understand, prevent, and treat infection-related neurocognitive morbidity in Uganda.

A3. Infection and neurocognitive impairment in sub-Saharan Africa

A3a. Infection and neurocognitive impairment in children in sub-Saharan Africa

Studies by our research team in Uganda have documented that one in four children with cerebral malaria will have long-term cognitive impairment. Given the frequency of cerebral malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, these findings suggest that up to 200,000 children annually may develop long-term cognitive impairment from cerebral malaria. Other studies have demonstrated that even repeated episodes of uncomplicated malaria are associated with impaired cognition and worse school performance. Additional studies in children in developing countries have demonstrated cognitive or neurodevelopmental impairment associated with repeat episodes of diarrheal disease schistosomiasis and various intestinal helminth infections.

PI: Professor Sarah Kiguli.

Transfusion and Treatment of severe anaemia in African children (TRACT): A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Completed (Dec 2018)

Principal Investigator (Uganda):
Noeline Nakasujja, MB ChB., MMed., PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

Principal Investigator (USA):
Michael J. Boivin, Ph.D., MPH. International Neurologic & Psychiatric Epidemiology Program, Michigan State University.

Co-Investigators:
1. Bruno Giordani – Ph. D. Neuropsychology Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan.

2. Robert Opika Opoka – MB ChB., MMed. MPH. Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

3. Paul Bangirana -PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

4. Connie Page – PhD. Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University.

5. Chandy C. John – MD., M.S. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota.

6. Richard Idro – MB ChB., MMed., PhD. Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Mulago Hospital.

7. Jed Magen, DO, MS. Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University.

Study Site:
Mulago Hospital, Kampala.

Objectives
1. To evaluate the effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation Training (CCRT) in improving neuropsychological performance and psychiatric outcomes in Ugandan children who survive severe malaria.

2. To evaluate whether severity of malaria illness (e.g., immunological brain inflammation, EEG abnormalities) is predictive of neuropsychological benefit from CCRT.

Inhaled Nitric Oxide as Adjunctive Therapy for Malaria : A Randomized Controlled Trial

INO-Jinja 
Principal investigator (Uganda):
Robert Opika Opoka, MB ChB., MMed., MPH. Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

Principal investigator (Canada): 
Kevin Kain – MD, FRCPC Professor of Medicine, Canada Research Chair in Molecular Parasitology,
Director of Global Health – McLaughlin Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Toronto, Director,
Sandra A. Rotman Laboratories – McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, Director, Center for Travel and Tropical Medicine, Toronto General Hospital

Co-Investigators:
1. Dr. AbnerTagoola – MBChB, MMED, MPH, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital
2. Dr. Sophie Namasopo – MBChB, MMED, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital
3. Dr. Chandy C. John – M.D., M.S., Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota.
4. Dr. W. Conrad Liles – MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto.
5. Dr. Michael Hawkes – MD, FRCPC, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto Dr. Christopher Miller, PhD, University of British Columbia.

Study site:
Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja District.

Objective:
To determine the efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide for the adjunctive treatment of P. falciparum malaria.

Our specific aim is:
To determine whether supplemental low flow inhaled nitric oxide gas (80 ppm) in addition to Ugandan Standard of Care treatment reduces levels of angiopoeitin-(Ang-2) from baseline in children with moderately severe and severe malaria compared to Standard of Care treatment alone.

Uterine Balloon Tamponade for Postpartum Hemorrhage in Three Low Income Countries.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality globally.

Though administration of a uterotonic effectively controls bleeding for most women who have PPH, about 5-10% of diagnosed PPH cases will require additional interventions beyond uterotonics to stop bleeding.

In many low resource settings, these second- and third-line therapies, including blood transfusion and surgical procedures, are not immediately available or feasible outside of tertiary care centers.

Additional low-tech definitive treatments are urgently needed to fill the gap in care.

Use of the Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) is recognized by several agencies, including World Health Organization (WHO), International Federation of Gynecologist & Obstetricians (FIGO), and International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), as an effective means of limiting blood loss in refractory PPH. The UBT is a medical technique that uses a balloon to apply pressure to the inside of the uterus to stop bleeding after delivery. It is used when primary interventions fail.

The UBT used in this study consists of a urinary catheter, a condom, cotton string ties, a large syringe, and a one-way valve. The condom attached to the catheter is inserted into the uterus and inflated with water.

The balloon can stay in place for up to 24 hours.
This research is taking place in Egypt, Senegal and Uganda and will include 18 secondary level and district referral hospitals with an average of 160 vaginal deliveries a month.

In Uganda, it will take place in 6 district hospitals namely; Gombe Hospital, Masindi Hospital, Kiryandongo Hospital, Itojo Hospital, Lyantonde Hospital and Kitagata Hospital.

It will run over a period of 15 months from November 2016 to March 2018.

This research is a joint collaboration of Gynuity Health Projects, Massachusetts General Hospital and local partners in each country which in Uganda are Makerere University and Global Health Uganda.

Sites: Kiryandongo, Masindi, Lyantonde, Gombe, Itojho, Kitagata.

PIs:

1. Dr. Sam Ononge

2. Gynuity

Acute vs. Delayed Iron: Effect on Red Cell Iron incorporation in Severe Malaria

R03

Acute vs. delayed iron therapy : Effect on iron status, anemia and cognition

UO1

Neuropsychological Benefits of Cognitive Training in Ugandan HIV children

TIM-Kampala

Predictive biomarkers of mortality and morbidity in children hospitalized with acute febrile illness

Non-Invasive Assessment of Maternal Endothelial Function to Predict Fetal Growth Restriction in a malaria Endemic Area (EndoPAT Study).

PI: Dr. Andrea Conroy

Enhancing Ugandan HIV-affected Child Development With Caregiver Training . (Tororo).

PI: Dr. Noeline Nakasujja

Completed (August 2018)

Enhancing Ugandan HIV-affected Child Development With Caregiver Training  (Tororo).

PI: Dr. Noeline Nakasujja

Completed (August 2018)

Cellular and Plasma Markers of Vertical HIV_1 Infection.

PI: Dr. Opoka Robert

Completed (Jan 2019)

The aim of the project was to evaluate the predictive validity of the modified Fagan and the Early Childhood Vigilance test in Ugandan Children at risk from HIV disease.

PI: Dr. Noeline Nakasujja

Completed (May 2019)

Sensitivity of Lung Ultrasound in Ugandan Children with Radiographic Pneumonia.

PI: Dr. Robert Opoka

Implementing School based Child Mental Health Prevention Program In Uganda.

PI: Dr. Janet Nakigudde

Prospective Analysis of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Hydroxyurea Treatment In Ugandan Children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

PI: Dr. Opoka Robert

Efficacy of a Low-cost Modified Bubble CPAP Device for Use in Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Resource-Limited Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Completed

Completed

Completed

SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA IN LOW RESOURCE AREA: BENEFITS OF HYDROXYUREA IN MITIGATING EARLY ONSET LUNG DISEASE

Principal Investigator:     Evans Machogu, MD

Co-Investigators:     

1. Hellen Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, MD

2. Robert O Opoka, MD

3. Chandy C. John, MD

4. Stephanie D. Davis, MD

Performance Site:

Mulago Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic Kampala, Uganda.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY

It is prospective cohort study with one year follow up comparing baseline lung function among children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) age >5 years currently on hydroxyurea for at least a year and enrolled in the Novel Use of Hydroxyurea in an African Region with Malaria (NOHARM) study follow up cohort (cases) compared to SCA controls not on Hydroxyurea followed in Mulago Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic. Subjects will be followed for repeat functions after a year.

Sample size approximately 80 children in the continuation phase of the NOHARM Study and 80 SCA control patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVES AND AIMS

Since it is still unclear whether the use of hydroxyurea in the NOHARM clinical trial may slow the onset or even prevent the development of lung disease in children with SCA , our study seeks to evaluate this younger cohort of patients started on hydroxyurea and followed prospectively. Our objective is to determine whether early initiation of hydroxyurea is protective against early onset of obstructive or restrictive lung disese.

Specific aim 1:

To evaluate pulmonary function indices (FVC ,FEV1 and FEF25-75 %) in children >5 years with SCA in low resource areas currently enrolled in the NOHARM Study, and who have been on hydroxyurea  for atleast one year and compare these lung function values to age and gender  and matched children not taking hydroxyurea . We hypothesize that children on hydroxyurea will have slower progression to developing notable lung disease on Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs) and slower decline in lung function.

PRIMARY END POINTS:   The difference between pulmonary Function indices (FVC, FEV1, FEF 25-75%) between the two groups subjects at the beginning of the study.

SECONDARY END POINTS:  Correlation of pulmonary function indices with routine clinical and laboratory data including nutritional status.

Title: Effect of Solar Powered Oxygen Delivery on Childhood Mortality in Uganda: a cluster-randomized trial.

Principal investigator (Uganda): Dr. Robert Opika Opoka, MBChB, MMED, MPH

Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Mulago Hospital

Principal investigator (Canada): Michael Hawkes, MD, PhD, FRCPC, University of Alberta

Objectives

The objective of this proposal is demonstrate the efficacy of solar powered oxygen delivery systems in children hospitalized with acute hypoxemic respiratory illness in Uganda.

Our primary aim is to:

1. Compare the 48-hour mortality among children < 5 years, admitted with hypoxemia before and after implementation of solar powered oxygen delivery at 20 hospitals in Uganda, adjusting for confounding effects of calendar time and site using a cluster-randomized stepped wedge design.

Secondary aims are to:

1. Compare secondary safety and efficacy outcomes among trial participants.

2. Monitor the functioning, service requirements, and installation and maintenance costs of solar powered oxygen delivery systems at 20 resource-constrained pediatric hospitals

3. Build capacity by training and monitoring performance of pediatric nurses for oxygen delivery at these 20 hospitals

The working hypothesis is that solar powered oxygen delivery systems, previously shown to be an effective and safe method of oxygen delivery at low-resource hospitals, can decrease the mortality of children admitted with hypoxemia.

 METHODS

Study design: The study is a multi-centre prospective evaluation of SPO₂ and we shall use a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized design to allow for robust scientific conclusions about the efficacy of SPO2. We enroll patients under 5 years of age admitted to selected Ugandan health facilities with hypoxemia and we will include 20 hospitals, and a total of 2400 hospitalized patients

Study sites: We will enroll 20 sites namely Lyantonde Hospital, Kitagata Hospital, Kagadi Hospital, Kyenjojo Hospital, Bundibugyo Hospital, Karisizo Hospital, Sembabule HC IV, Gombe Hospital, Kayunga Hospital, Adumi HC IV, Atiak HC IV, Kitgum Hospital, Apac Hospital, Lalogi HC IV, Bukedde HC IV, Muyembe HC IV, Bugobero HC IV, Bumanya HC IV, Kamuli Hospital, Kidera HC IV.

Research procedures and/or interventions:

1. Children presenting to selected study hospitals and meeting the inclusion criteria, the parent or legal guardian will be approached for consent to participate in the study. If granted, the patient will be admitted to the pediatric ward, where there will be a SPO₂ system installed or not, according to random timing of installation at each site.

2. All patients will receive standard care for their underlying disease, including antibiotics for pneumonia, intravenous fluids as necessary, blood transfusion as necessary, antipyretics, oxygen if available and any other medical therapy required.

3. Basic demographic and clinical data will be collected from the case admission record, and patients will be followed during their hospital admission. The primary outcome is death at 48 hours after admission. Possible alternative outcomes include: death after 48 hours, discharge, and transfer to another facility.

4. During hospitalization, secondary outcomes will be recorded, including vital signs at after admission, and daily thereafter until hospital discharge. Oxygen utilization (flow rate, duration) will be recorded throughout hospitalization. The need for oxygen therapy will be assessed daily, using standardized criteria for weaning oxygen. The length of stay among survivors will be recorded, as well as the final patient disposition (discharged without disability, discharged with disability, transferred to another facility, or death).

Duration of study: 2 years.

TITTLE:    Zinc for Infection Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (ZIPS)

  Principal Investigators:

1. Chandy C. John, MD, MS Indiana University

2. Robert O. Opoka, MBChB, MMED, MPH Makerere University

Co-Investigators:

1. Russell E. Ware, MD, PhD Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

2. Ruth Namazzi, MBChB, MMED, Makerere University

3. Abner Tagoola, MBChB, MMED, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital

4. Dibyadyuti Datta, PhD , Indiana University

5. Andrea Conroy, PhD, Indiana University

Study Sponsors:

Thrasher Research Fund

Clinical Performance Site:  Sickle Cell Clinic, Nalufenya, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Brief Description:

A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of zinc to reduce the incidence of severe or invasive infections in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) aged between 1.00 and 4.99 years of age, living in the malaria endemic area of mid-eastern Uganda, who attend the Nalufenya Sickle Cell Clinic, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital whose caretakers consent to study participation.

Study treatment is zinc (10 mg zinc sulphate) or placebo, administered once a day in a tablet form.

Specific Aims:

The specific aim of the study is to determine if zinc supplementation reduces severe or invasive infections in Ugandan children 1.00-4.99 years of age with SCA.

The study is also assessing five secondary outcomes that may be affected by zinc supplementation in children:

1) incidence of all clinically diagnosed infections;

2) incidence of culture or PCR-confirmed bacterial infections,

3) incidence of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC),

 4) incidence of hospitalizations,

5) change in height-for-age z-score. We hypothesize that children with SCA who receive zinc supplementation will have less clinical infections, less culture or PCR-confirmed bacterial infections, less VOC, less hospitalizations, and better growth than children who receive placebo.

 Study is ongoing.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with severe malaria.

Rationale.
The research proposed in this study is innovative in several aspects, including the choice of study population, the multi-factorial assessment of potential risk factors, and the methods proposed to test for risk factors. This study will be, to our knowledge, the first prospective study to assess NDI in the five most common types of severe malaria and also the first prospective study of NDI in children with severe malaria treated with artesunate. All prior studies of NDI in severe malaria in African children to date, including our studies, have assessed these sequelae in children treated with quinine or chloroquine. Comparison of AS to quinine treatment will give insight into the ways in which AS may increase or decrease NDI, and inform consideration on adjunctive therapy to prevent NDI in children receiving AS.

Goal:
The goal of this proposal is to determine the risk factors for and the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with the five types of severe malaria treated with artesunate.

1. Objective AIM 1
To establish the functional areas and degree of neurodevelopmental function affected by the five major forms of severe malaria in children treated with artesunate.
The working hypotheses for this objective are that: 1) children with all forms of severe malaria will have developmental impairment; 2) areas and degree of impairment will differ according to form of malaria; 3) artesunate therapy will be associated with lower levels of developmental impairment than quinine.
We will test these hypotheses by comparing areas and age-adjusted levels of neurologic, developmental, and behavioral impairment in children with 5 types of severe malaria (CM, RD, M/S, SMA, and prostration) treated with artesunate compared to healthy children 12 months after enrollment. The level of impairment in children with CM or SMA will be compared in children in the present (artesunate) and past (quinine) studies.

Primary outcome measures:
1) Mullen Early Learning Scales Composite (measure of overall cognition)
2) Early Childhood Vigilance Test (measure of attention)
3) Color Object Association Test (measure of declarative memory) at 12 months after enrollment/discharge
Secondary outcome measures:
1) Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF)
2) Z-scores on individual Mullen Early Learning Scales
3) Presence of neurologic deficits at discharge or 12 months follow-up

2. Objective AIM 2
To identify the immunologic, metabolic, and nutritional risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in children with severe malaria treated with artesunate.
The working hypotheses for this objective are that: 1) specific factors are associated with developmental impairment in severe malaria, and 2) these factors differ according to the type of severe malaria. We will test these hypotheses by comparing the presence/level of risk factors in children with severe malaria to level of neurologic, developmental, and behavioral impairment in these children 12 months after enrollment.

Risk factors assessed:
1) Markers of endovascular inflammation (NO and ADMA, specific cytokines, endothelial activation markers, oxidative stress markers)
2) Markers of central nervous system inflammation or injury (cerebrospinal fluid NO and ADMA, cytokines, oxidative stress markers)
3) Metabolic changes (carboxyhemoglobin, hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis)
4) Micronutrients affected by inflammation and associated with developmental impairment (iron, vitamin A, vitamin E).

Principal Investigator: Dr. Opoka Robert.

Ended Dec 2018, Renewed as MIND

Optimising Iron Status while minimizing morbidity in HIV- infected Ugandan Children.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Musiime Victor.

Title: The Role of Iron Deficiency in the Neurodevelopment of Children Perinatally Exposed to HIV (ID-ND study)

Principle Investigators:

1. Sarah Cusick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

2. Victor Musiime, MBChB, MMed, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Makerere University College of Health Sciences; Investigator, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda

Co-investigators

1. Paul Bangirana, PhD Makerere University

2. Michael Georgieff, MD University of Minnesota

3. Maria Kroupina, PhD University of Minnesota

ID-ND study will examine how iron deficiency is related to brain function in children perinatally exposed to HIV. It is being conducted by Dr. Sarah Cusick – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, and Dr. Victor Musiime from Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda.

Our major aim is to establish the iron status of perinatally exposed children 6-59 months and to determine whether iron status is associated with neurobehavioral test scores. The cross-sectional study will enroll a total of 210 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months: 70 infected with HIV, 70 exposed to HIV during gestation but uninfected themselves, and 70 unexposed, uninfected children identified in the community.

HI children will be consecutively recruited from the Pediatric Clinic at JCRC. Potential HEU children will be identified at the Prevention of Maternal to Child Transmission (PMTCT) clinic in the adult clinic at JCRC, HUU children will be identified in the community by community liaison volunteers affiliated with JCRC, but all interested caregivers and their children will be led to the Pediatric clinic to determine study eligibility so that informed consent can be obtained and eligibility criteria verified.

We will administer neurobehavioral tests [Behavioral Rating Scales, Mullen Scales of Early Learning, Early Childhood Vigilance Test (ECVT), Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)] and compare outcomes in each group of children by iron status. We shall also have a single venous blood draw of 5-7 mL. per child.

The study will evaluate the relationship between measures of body iron and scores of learning, memory, and behavior in children exposed to HIV as compared to children not exposed to HIV

Principal Investigator: Dr. Janet Nakigudde.

Oral Antihyoertensive Therapy: Apathway to efficient reduction of Maternal Complications from Severe Hypertension in Low Resource Environments.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ononge.

The aim of the project is to establish a Center Of Excellence For Patient-Centered Care And Non-Communicable Disease Management In Uganda.

Principal Investigators:

1. Dr. Robert Kalyesubula

2. Dr. Kayongo Alex

Project wrapping up.

Name of the project.

Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine or Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine for the Chemoprevention of Malaria in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in eastern and southern Africa: a double-blind randomized trial (the CHEMCHA trial).

Co-Principal Investigators

• Dr Richard Idro, PhD, Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
• Prof Kamija Phiri, PhD, College of Medicine, University of Malawi Faculty of Medicine.

Co-Investigators

• Dr Thandile Gondwe, College of Medicine, Malawi, Site-PI Malawi.
• Dr Kondwani Kawazi, College of Medicine, Malawi, Co-Investigator, Malawi.
• Dr Robert O. Opoka, Makerere University, Uganda, Site-PI, Uganda.
• Joseph Rujumba, Makerere University, Uganda, Co-Investigator.
• Joseph Ssenkusu, Makerere University, Uganda, Statistician
• Prof Chandy C. John, Indiana University USA, Co-investigator.
• Prof Bjarne Robberstad, University of Bergen, Norway, Co-investigator
• Prof Feiko ter Kuile, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Uk, Co-investigator.

Overview of the project and objectives.

Background and rationale:

An estimated 300,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) annually. Affected children have chronic ill health and many suffer premature death. Ill health is commonly precipitated by febrile illnesses including malaria. Antimalarial chemoprophylaxis is an important strategy, but current regimes are either sub-optimally effective (e.g. monthly sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, SP) or difficult to adhere to (e.g. daily proguanil). We propose Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DP) as the agent with most potential to be used across Africa.

Aim of the study:

The study is aimed to produce the necessary evidence to assess whether weekly DP should be recommended as a strategy for malaria chemoprevention in children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Primary objective:

Our objective is to determine the efficacy, safety, uptake, acceptability and cost effectiveness of malaria chemoprevention with weekly single day courses of DP vs monthly single day courses of SP in children with SCA in eastern and southern Africa.

Secondary objectives:

• To assess the feasibility and stakeholder perspectives on the uptake (acceptability) and the potential for future roll-out of weekly DP versus monthly SP.
• Determine the safety and cumulative dosing of DP, especially on cardiac function.
• Monitor the development of malaria parasite resistance to DP in clinical isolates over time.
• Assess patients’ health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness, equity and economic implications of using weekly courses of DP versus monthly courses of SP as chemoprevention in SCA.
• Assess acceptability of weekly courses of DP for malaria chemoprevention in SCA versus monthly courses of SP as chemoprevention in SCA.
• Conduct policy advocacy to engage key stakeholders on policy decisions on using weekly courses of DP or monthly courses of SP for the chemoprevention for the chemoprevention of malaria in SCA.

Collaborating Institutions.

Funder:  The Research Council of Norway, Global Health and Vaccination Research (GLOBVAC)

Sponsor: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM)

Partner institutions.

• University of Bergen
• Makerere University
• Global Health Uganda.
• The University of Malawi.
• Training and Research Unit of Excellence (Malawi).

Study design:

 Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group superiority trial

Completed

Does HIV subtype moderate HAART effect on neurocognitive functioning in children?

Aim 1: To compare neurocognitive outcomes in children with subtype A and D who are on HAART. The working hypothesis here is that subtype A is more pathogenic in the brain than subtype D and this will manifest in lower neurocognitive scores in the subtype A group.

Aim 2: To examine the moderating effect of HIV subtype on HAART’s ability to improve neurocognitive outcomes. The working hypothesis for this aim is that children receiving HAART with high CPE will have better neurocognitive outcomes than those receiving drugs with less CNS penetration.

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed