Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning.

Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa. In order to classify IUs that include locations that are environmentally suitable, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify an optimal threshold for suitability concordant with locations where onchocerciasis has been previously detected. This threshold value was then used to classify IUs (more suitable or less suitable) based on the location within the IU with the largest mean prediction. Mean estimates of environmental suitability suggest large areas across West and Central Africa, as well as focal areas of East Africa, are suitable for onchocerciasis transmission, consistent with the presence of current control and elimination of transmission efforts. The ROC analysis identified a mean environmental suitability index of 0·71 as a threshold to classify based on the location with the largest mean prediction within the IU. Of the IUs considered for mapping surveys, 50·2% exceed this threshold for suitability in at least one 5 × 5-km location. The formidable scale of data collection required to map onchocerciasis endemicity across the African continent presents an opportunity to use spatial data to identify areas likely to be suitable for onchocerciasis transmission. National onchocerciasis elimination programmes may wish to consider prioritising these IUs for mapping surveys as human resources, laboratory capacity, and programmatic schedules may constrain survey implementation, and possibly delaying MDA initiation in areas that would ultimately qualify.

Pediatric neurosurgery at Texas Children's Hospital: the legacy of Dr. William R. Cheek.

Texas Children's Hospital opened its doors in 1954, and since that time the institution has remained dedicated to a three-part mission: patient care, education, and research. Dr. William R. Cheek developed an early interest in pediatric neurosurgery, which led to his efforts in building and developing a service at Texas Children's Hospital at a time when the field was just emerging. His work with other early pioneers in the field led to the establishment of organized societies, educational texts, and governing bodies that have led to significant advances in the field over the past 50 years.

Oral rehydration therapies in Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone: a spatial analysis of changes over time and implications for policy.

BACKGROUND: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a simple intervention that can prevent childhood deaths from severe diarrhea and dehydration. In a previous study, we mapped the use of ORS treatment subnationally and found that ORS coverage increased over time, while the use of home-made alternatives or recommended home fluids (RHF) decreased, in many countries. These patterns were particularly striking within Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone. It was unclear, however, whether ORS replaced RHF in these locations or if children were left untreated, and if these patterns were associated with health policy changes. METHODS: We used a Bayesian geostatistical model and data from household surveys to map the percentage of children with diarrhea that received (1) any ORS, (2) only RHF, or (3) no oral rehydration treatment between 2000 and 2018. This approach allowed examination of whether RHF was replaced with ORS before and after interventions, policies, and external events that may have impacted healthcare access. RESULTS: We found that RHF was replaced with ORS in most Sierra Leone districts, except those most impacted by the Ebola outbreak. In addition, RHF was replaced in northern but not in southern Mali, and RHF was not replaced anywhere in Senegal. In Senegal, there was no statistical evidence that a national policy promoting ORS use was associated with increases in coverage. In Sierra Leone, ORS coverage increased following a national policy change that abolished health costs for children. CONCLUSIONS: Children in parts of Mali and Senegal have been left behind during ORS scale-up. Improved messaging on effective diarrhea treatment and/or increased ORS access such as through reducing treatment costs may be needed to prevent child deaths in these areas.

Intracerebroventricular Cerliponase Alfa for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 2 Disease: Clinical Practice Considerations From US Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 or CLN2 disease is a rare, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by tripeptidyl peptidase 1 deficiency. Cerliponase alfa, a recombinant human tripeptidyl peptidase 1 enzyme, is the first and only approved treatment for CLN2 disease and the first approved enzyme replacement therapy administered via intracerebroventricular infusion. METHODS: A meeting of health care professionals from US institutions with experience in cerliponase alfa treatment of children with CLN2 disease was held in November 2018. Key common practices were identified, and later refined during the drafting of this article, that facilitate safe chronic administration of cerliponase alfa. RESULTS: Key practices include developing a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, pharmacists, and coordinators, and institution-specific processes. Infection risk may be reduced through strict aseptic techniques and minimizing connections and disconnections during infusion. The impact of intracerebroventricular device design on port needle stability during extended intracerebroventricular infusion is a critical consideration in device selection. Monitoring for central nervous system infection is performed at each patient contact, but with flexibility in the degree of monitoring. Although few institutions had experienced positive cerebrospinal fluid test results, the response to a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture should be determined on a case-by-case basis, and the intracerebroventricular device should be removed if cerebrospinal fluid infection is confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The key common practices and flexible practices used by institutions with cerliponase alfa experience may assist other institutions in process development. Continued sharing of experiences will be essential for developing standards and patient care guidelines.