Aleisha R. Brock’s research while affiliated with University of South Australia and other places

Introduction Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion is a clinical procedure commonly performed by nurses for pediatric patients in Bhutan. This study describes peripheral intravenous catheter first attempt success and factors associated with such insertions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2016 to March 2017, comprised of a national sample of the Bhutan pediatric patient population (0–12 years). We collected data on peripheral intravenous catheter first time insertion success rate of admitted pediatric patients, to identify predictors of a successful first time attempt. Clustered log binomial generalized linear models were used to obtain the prevalence of first time attempt success and predictors of success. Results The prevalence rate of successful first time attempt adjusted for clustering was 64% (95% confidence interval: 51%–80%). Predictors of a successful first time attempt were older patient age, lighter skin color, the vein being visible with a tourniquet, and the left hand being used for insertion. A transilluminator was used in 52 patients, and the peripheral intravenous catheter was eventually successfully placed in 82% of the patients. Discussion Our first time successful cannulation rate is substantially lower than that found in similar studies in other countries. Considering the impact a peripheral intravenous catheter has on patients’ clinical outcomes and cost implications, reducing the number of failed attempts should be of high importance. Better education and simulation, combined with the adoption of vessel locating technology, are required to improve insertion practice in Bhutan. This could lead to greater efficiency of the health facilities in Bhutan.

The emergence and transmission of antimalarial resistance is hampering malaria eradication efforts and is shortening the useful therapeutic life of currently available antimalarials. Drug selection pressure has been identified as a contributing factor to the emergence and transmission of resistance, especially population treatment coverage and sub-therapeutic concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the bloodstream. Medicine quality can be defined as good quality or poor quality. Poor quality antimalarials can be falsified, substandard or degraded and are estimated to make up between 10 and 50% of the antimalarial market in developing countries, and can be a source of sub-therapeutic doses of antimalarial API(s). The availability and use of poor quality antimalarials and the non-recommended use of quality assured monotherapies have historically been linked to treatment failure and in some cases, have coincided with the emergence and transmission of resistance in regions. We propose and outline the hypotheses that the use of poor quality antimalarial treatments and non-recommended quality assured monotherapies promote the (i) emergence and/or (ii) transmission of antimalarial resistance.

The emergence and transmission of resistance to antimalarial treatments continue to hamper malaria elimination efforts. A scoping review was undertaken regarding the impact of antimalarial treatment in the human population on the emergence and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum resistance, to (i) describe the use of mathematical models used to explore this relationship; (ii) discuss model findings; and (iii) identify factors influencing the emergence and transmission of resistance. Search strategies were developed and deployed in six major databases. Thirty-seven articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review: nine articles modeled the emergence of resistance, 19 modeled the transmission of resistance, and nine modeled both the emergence and transmission. The proportion of antimalarial use within the population and the presence of residual drug concentrations were identified to be the main predictors of the emergence and transmission of resistance. Influencing factors pertaining to the human, parasite and mosquito populations are discussed. To ensure the prolonged therapeutic usefulness of antimalarial treatments, the effect of antimalarial drug use on the emergence and transmission of resistance must be understood, and mathematical models are a useful tool for exploring these dynamics.

Background The use of poor quality antimalarial medicines, including the use of non-recommended medicines for treatment such as sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) monotherapy, undermines malaria control and elimination efforts. Furthermore, the use of subtherapeutic doses of the active ingredient(s) can theoretically promote the emergence and transmission of drug resistant parasites. Methods We developed a deterministic compartmental model to quantify the impact of antimalarial medicine quality on the transmission of SP resistance, and validated it using sensitivity analysis and a comparison with data from Kenya collected in 2006. We modelled human and mosquito population dynamics, incorporating two Plasmodium falciparum subtypes (SP-sensitive and SP-resistant) and both poor quality and good quality (artemether-lumefantrine) antimalarial use. Findings The model predicted that an increase in human malaria cases, and among these, an increase in the proportion of SP-resistant infections, resulted from an increase in poor quality SP antimalarial use, whether it was full- or half-dose SP monotherapy. Interpretation Our findings suggest that an increase in poor quality antimalarial use predicts an increase in the transmission of resistance. This highlights the need for stricter control and regulation on the availability and use of poor quality antimalarial medicines, in order to offer safe and effective treatments, and work towards the eradication of malaria.

Background Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity occurs in ≥50% of patients after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for carcinoma of prostate (CaP). This prospective, longitudinal study examines which baseline measurements of: 1) homocysteine and micronutrients in plasma; 2) chromosome damage/misrepair biomarkers; and 3) anal and rectal dose volume metrics predict GI morbidity after EBRT. Patients and methods In total, 106 patients with CaP had evaluations of GI symptoms (modified LENT-SOMA questionnaires) before EBRT and at one month, one, two and three years after its completion. Other variables measured before EBRT were: 1) plasma concentrations of homocysteine and micronutrients including caroteinoids and selenium; 2) chromosome damage/DNA misrepair (micronuclei/nucleoplasmic bridge) indices; and 3) mean anal and rectal wall doses and volumes of anal and rectal walls receiving ≥40 Gy and ≥60 Gy. Univariate and multivariate analyzes examined the relationships among: 1) plasma levels of homocysteine and micronutrients; 2) indices of chromosome damage/DNA misrepair; and 3) mean anal and rectal wall doses and volumes of anal and rectal walls receiving ≥40 Gy and ≥60 Gy and total GI symptom scores from one month to three years after EBRT. Results Increased frequency and urgency of defecation, rectal mucous discharge and bleeding after EBRT resulted in sustained rises in total GI symptom scores above baseline at three years. On univariate analysis, total GI symptom scores were significantly associated with: 1) plasma selenium and α tocopherol; 2) micronuclei indices of DNA damage; 3) mean anal and rectal wall doses; and 4) volumes of anal and rectal wall receiving ≥40 Gy and ≥60 Gy (p = 0.08-<0.001). On multivariate analysis, only volume of anal wall receiving ≥40 Gy was significant for increased GI symptoms after EBRT (p < 0.001). Conclusion The volume of anal wall receiving ≥40 Gy predicts chronic GI morbidity after EBRT for CaP.