NCT01658774

Brief Summary

Many school children in Kenya are infected with plasmodia and helminth species and are at risk of coinfection. It has been suggested that the immune response evoked by helminth infections may modify immune responses to plasmodia species and consequently alter infection and disease risks. However, studies conducted to date have been typically cross-sectional and produced conflicting results, and there is a need for longitudinal studies to better understand the clinical consequences for individuals harbouring coinfection. This study aims to investigate the impact of intensive (once every 3 months) anthelminthic treatment versus annual treatment on the risk of clinical malaria and on immune responses among school children aged 5-14 years in Western Province. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of intensive anthelminthic treatment on (i) the incidence of clinical malaria in school children, assessed using active case detection; (ii) the prevalence and density of Plasmodium spp. infection, using repeat cross-sectional surveys; and (iii) malaria and helminth specific immune responses. The study hypothesis is that intensive anthelminthic treatment among children infected with either Ascaris lumbricoides or hookworm modifies human host immune responses to plasmodia and helminth infections, and therefore alters the risk of Plasmodium infection and clinical disease. This individually randomised trial will recruit 1,450 children aged 5-14 years found to be infected with either Ascaris lumbricoides or hookworm species. Recruited children will be randomized to receive albendazole treatment either every three months or annually and monitored through periodic surveillance for clinical malaria episodes over 18 months. In addition, blood samples will be collected from sub-sample of children and screened for malaria specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG3 and helminth specific IgE, IgG2, IgG4 and IgM. Cell culture supernatants will be assayed for interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-5, IL-4 and IL-2.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
2,377

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2013

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 19, 2012

Completed
19 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 7, 2012

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2013

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 1, 2015

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2015

Completed
Last Updated

April 10, 2015

Status Verified

February 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

July 19, 2012

Last Update Submit

April 9, 2015

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Incidence of clinical malaria

    Incidence of clinical malaria, defined as fever (axillary temperature \> 37.5 °C) or a reported history of fever within the preceding 24 hours in conjunction with a slide positive for Plasmodium spp. parasites at any density during 18 months of follow-up.

    18 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Prevalence and density of Plasmodium spp. infection.

    18 months

  • Antibody isotype response to Plasmodium antigens.

    18 months

  • Antibody isotype response to helminth antigens.

    18 months

Study Arms (2)

Albendazole & Vitamin C

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Anthelmintics. A single dose of Albendazole (400mg) at month 0 and single dose of Vitamin C (500 mg) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Drug: AlbendazoleDietary Supplement: Vitamin C

Albendazole

EXPERIMENTAL

Anthelmintics. A single does of Albendazole (400mg) every three months for 12 months

Drug: Albendazole

Interventions

Single 400mg dose

Also known as: Zentel
AlbendazoleAlbendazole & Vitamin C
Vitamin CDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

500 mg Vitamin C

Albendazole & Vitamin C

Eligibility Criteria

Age5 Years - 18 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Pupils enrolled at participating schools in classes 1-7.
  • Provision of informed consent from parent or legal guardian.
  • Provision of assent by student.
  • Detectable infection with A.lumbricoides, T. trichiura and/or hookworm species.

You may not qualify if:

  • Pupils unwilling to participate in the study.
  • Pupils who are infected with S. haematobium or S. mansoni. These children will be treated with praziquantel.
  • Known or suspected sickle-cell trait.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Programme

Nairobi, P.O. Box 43640 - 00100, Kenya

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Kepha S, Nuwaha F, Nikolay B, Gichuki P, Mwandawiro CS, Mwinzi PN, Odiere MR, Edwards T, Allen E, Brooker SJ. Effect of Repeated Anthelminthic Treatment on Malaria in School Children in Kenya: A Randomized, Open-Label, Equivalence Trial. J Infect Dis. 2016 Jan 15;213(2):266-75. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiv382. Epub 2015 Jul 13.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intestinal helminthiasisAscariasisAncylostomiasisMalaria

Interventions

AlbendazoleAscorbic Acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ascaridida InfectionsSecernentea InfectionsNematode InfectionsHelminthiasisParasitic DiseasesInfectionsHookworm InfectionsStrongylida InfectionsProtozoan InfectionsMosquito-Borne DiseasesVector Borne Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

CarbamatesAcids, AcyclicCarboxylic AcidsOrganic ChemicalsBenzimidazolesHeterocyclic Compounds, 2-RingHeterocyclic Compounds, Fused-RingHeterocyclic CompoundsSugar AcidsHydroxy AcidsCarbohydrates

Study Officials

  • Simon J Brooker, DPhil

    London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 19, 2012

First Posted

August 7, 2012

Study Start

January 1, 2013

Primary Completion

January 1, 2015

Study Completion

January 1, 2015

Last Updated

April 10, 2015

Record last verified: 2014-02

Locations