Chemoprevention for malaria with monthly intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in pregnant women living with HIV on daily co-trimoxazole in Kenya and Malawi: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Barsosio HC, Madanitsa M, Ondieki ED, Dodd J, Onyango ED, Otieno K, Wang D, Hill J, Mwapasa V, Phiri KS, Maleta K, Taegtmeyer M, Kariuki S, Schmiegelow C, Gutman JR, Ter Kuile FO
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02631-4
- Record issued
- 2026-08-16
- Engine
- 7.39.0
- Exported
- 2026-09-20
Prepared by Alpha1. This document is confidential: it is intended for the recipient it was shared with and must not be redistributed. The live record at alpha1science.com/verify/538ded57-c76b-4d2e-b9a2-50c9590975bc is authoritative.
How this rating was calculated
- ClaimsEfficacy rests on an unvalidated surrogate endpoint−0.5★
- ClaimsTreatment effect not shown to be clinically meaningful−0.5★
- The numeric-impossibility checks (GRIM/GRIMMER/DEBIT/SPRITE) did not run: 46 reported means were read, and their group size is not stated where the values are printed (this source has no machine-readable table structure). These checks need the count the mean was averaged over, so none was performed.
- 01Efficacy rests on an unvalidated surrogate endpoint
The primary endpoint is the incidence of Plasmodium infection detected by PCR, microscopy, RDT, or placental histology, which is a surrogate for clinical benefit. The paper does not demonstrate target engagement at the tested dose (no PK/PD data linking the dose to protective piperaquine concentrations in this population) and does not cite validated evidence linking the surrogate to clinical outcomes such as reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes. In fact, the trial found no significant difference in adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the authors acknowledge the study was not powered for these outcomes.
“The primary endpoint was the incidence of at least one Plasmodium infection detected in the peripheral (maternal) or placental (maternal) blood or tissue by PCR, microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, or placental histology (active infection) from 2 weeks after…”
- 02Treatment effect not shown to be clinically meaningful
The primary effect is a reduction in malaria infection incidence (RR 0.45, IRR 0.32), but this is a surrogate outcome. The effect size is not anchored to a clinically meaningful threshold for the surrogate, and the trial found no significant improvement in hard clinical outcomes (adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal anaemia). The authors state the study was not powered for these outcomes, so the clinical meaningfulness of the surrogate reduction is not established.
“The cumulative risk of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (31 [7%] of 443 women vs 70 [15%] of 452 women, risk ratio 0·45,…”
This Kaimen Rigor review uses Kaimen Rigor reviewers trained on a curated corpus of high-fidelity and retracted papers, with expert supervision and curation. It can still make mistakes; verify each finding against the source before relying on it.
This is a well-conducted and transparently reported phase 3 randomised controlled trial. The design is rigorous, statistical analysis is sound, and ethical approvals and data sharing are adequately documented. Minor reporting gaps include lack of explicit CONSORT and Declaration of Helsinki statements, and a typo in a table footnote.
Both reviewers classified the study as interventional, and I adopted that. The evaluation covered all eight dimensions; several sub-criteria were marked not applicable for a human drug trial (e.g., cell line authentication, housing conditions). The statistics verification covered only a subset of reported tests (those with test statistics/df or effect estimates with CIs); threshold-only p-values and resampling-based p-values were not machine-verified. The citation check found no retracted or unresolved references.
Numerical inconsistencies
None foundValues that contradict each other or are impossible for the stated sample: recomputed p-values and test statistics, GRIM/GRIMMER checks on summary numbers, percentages against their own counts, totals against their parts, and estimates against their own confidence intervals.
Checked — nothing surfaced.
Recomputed 16 tests: 16 consistent, 0 inconsistent; 6 recomputed directly from the reported test statistics, 10 via agent-written checks.
- CONSISTENTreported p < .001 · recomputed p = <.001Recomputed risk ratio 0.45 (95% CI 0.30–0.67), reported p=0.0001
“risk ratio 0.45, 95% CI 0.30–0.67; p=0.0001”
Taken as given: 0.30–0.67 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the risk ratio of 0.45, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the risk ratio is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.0001 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(0.45, 0.3, 0.67, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p < .001 · recomputed p = <.001Recomputed RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.30–0.67), reported p=0.0001
“RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30–0.67; p=0.0001”
Taken as given: 0.30–0.67 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the RR of 0.45, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the RR is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.0001 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(0.45, 0.3, 0.67, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .056 · recomputed p = .058Recomputed IRR 0.29 (95% CI 0.08–1.03), reported p=0.056
“IRR 0.29 [95% CI 0.08–1.03], p=0.056”
Taken as given: 0.08–1.03 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the IRR of 0.29, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the IRR is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.056 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(0.29, 0.08, 1.03, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .002 · recomputed p = .003Recomputed RR 0.37 (95% CI 0.19–0.70), reported p=0.0023
“RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19–0.70, p=0.0023”
Taken as given: 0.19–0.70 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the RR of 0.37, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the RR is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.0023 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(0.37, 0.19, 0.7, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .004 · recomputed p = .003Recomputed RR 0.62 (95% CI 0.45–0.85), reported p=0.0036
“RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45–0.85, p=0.0036”
Taken as given: 0.45–0.85 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the RR of 0.62, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the RR is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.0036 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(0.62, 0.45, 0.85, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .390 · recomputed p = .394Recomputed RR 1.33 (95% CI 0.69–2.56), reported p=0.39
“RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.69–2.56, p=0.39”
Taken as given: 0.69–2.56 is a two-sided 95% confidence interval for the RR of 1.33, not a range, an IQR, or a different interval level; the RR is a RATIO measure, so the interval is symmetric on the log scale; p=0.39 is the p for THIS estimate, not for another comparison in the same sentenceMethod: back the two-tailed p out of the log-scale CI width and compare it against the printed pHow we recomputed it: pCI(1.33, 0.69, 2.56, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p < .001 · recomputed p = <.001Reviewers 1, 2Primary endpoint risk ratio p-value
“The cumulative risk of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (31 [7%] of 443 women vs 70 [15%] of 452 women, risk ratio 0·45, 95% CI 0·30–0·67; p=0·0001).”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.45 with 95% CI 0.30-0.67.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.45, 0.30, 0.67, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p < .001 · recomputed p = <.001Reviewers 1, 2Primary endpoint incidence rate ratio p-value
“The incidence of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was 25·4 per 100 person-years in the cotrimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group versus 77·3 per 100 person-years in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (incidence rate ratio 0·32, 95% CI 0·22–0·47, p<0·0001).”
Taken as given: The incidence rate ratio is 0.32 with 95% CI 0.22-0.47.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported IRR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log rate ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.32, 0.22, 0.47, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .056 · recomputed p = .058Reviewer 1Clinical malaria incidence rate ratio p-value
“The incidence of clinical malaria during pregnancy was 2·3 per 100 person-years in the cotrimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group and 8·2 per 100 person-years in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (IRR 0·29 [95% CI 0·08–1·03], p=0·056, number needed to treat 60 [95% CI 31–1254]).”
Taken as given: The incidence rate ratio is 0.29 with 95% CI 0.08-1.03.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported IRR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log rate ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.29, 0.08, 1.03, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .002 · recomputed p = .003Reviewer 1Placental malaria risk ratio p-value
“At delivery, risk of malaria infection in peripheral or placental blood detected by any test was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (RR 0·37, 95% CI 0·19–0·70, p=0·0023; ).”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.37 with 95% CI 0.19-0.70.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.37, 0.19, 0.70, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .004 · recomputed p = .003Reviewer 1Any placental malaria risk ratio p-value
“Risk of any placental malaria (active and past) detected by histology was lower in the cotrimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (RR 0·62, 95% CI 0·45–0·85, p=0·0036);”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.62 with 95% CI 0.45-0.85.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.62, 0.45, 0.85, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .021 · recomputed p = .018Reviewer 1Active placental malaria risk ratio p-value
“risk of active placental malaria detected by histology was also lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group (RR 0·23, 0·07–0·80, p=0·021).”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.23 with 95% CI 0.07-0.80.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.23, 0.07, 0.80, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .390 · recomputed p = .394Reviewer 1SARS-CoV-2 antibodies risk ratio p-value
“20 (5%) of 399 participants in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group and 15 (4%) of 405 participants in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 at delivery (RR 1·33, 95% CI 0·69–2·56, p=0·39; ).”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 1.33 with 95% CI 0.69-2.56.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(1.33, 0.69, 2.56, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .550 · recomputed p = .527Reviewer 1Composite adverse pregnancy outcome risk ratio p-value (from CI)
“Although the risk of the composite of adverse pregnancy outcome was slightly lower in the cotrimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (RR 0·93, 95% CI 0·74–1·16),”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.93 with 95% CI 0.74-1.16.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.93, 0.74, 1.16, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .440 · recomputed p = .438Reviewer 1Small vulnerable newborn composite risk ratio p-value (from CI)
“as was the risk of the composite for small vulnerable newborn (low birthweight, preterm birth, or born small for gestational age; RR 0·91, 95% CI 0·72–1·16),”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.91 with 95% CI 0.72-1.16.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.91, 0.72, 1.16, 1) - CONSISTENTreported p = .150 · recomputed p = .131Reviewer 1Small for gestational age risk ratio p-value (from CI)
“Indeed, the risk of infants born small for gestational age was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group, but the confidence intervals for the RR were wide (RR 0·80, 95% CI 0·60–1·07).”
Taken as given: The risk ratio is 0.80 with 95% CI 0.60-1.07.; The p-value is two-sided.; The CI is a 95% confidence interval.Method: Recomputed two-sided p-value from the reported RR and 95% CI using the normal approximation for the log risk ratio.How we recomputed it: pCI(0.80, 0.60, 1.07, 1)
Overstated conclusions
2 findings · worst highConclusions that reach past what the paper's own results support — including a significance claim that no longer holds when the statistic is recomputed, and efficacy resting on an unvalidated surrogate endpoint.
- Efficacy rests on an unvalidated surrogate endpointAssessed
- Treatment effect not shown to be clinically meaningfulAssessed
6 major claims checked against the paper's own evidence: all adequately supported.
- supportedReviewer 1Addition of monthly IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to daily co-trimoxazole reduces the incidence of malaria infection in pregnant women living with HIV on dolutegravir-based cART.The primary endpoint and multiple secondary analyses consistently show a significant reduction in malaria infection, supported by the reported RR and IRR with narrow confidence intervals.Evidence: Primary endpoint: RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.30-0.67), p=0.0001; IRR 0.32 (95% CI 0.22-0.47), p<0.0001.
The cumulative risk of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (31 [7%] of 443 women vs 70 [15%] of 452 women, risk ratio 0·45, 95% CI 0·30–0·67; p=0·0001).
Abstractreviewer’s wording - supportedReviewers 1, 2The combination is safe and well tolerated.Safety outcomes show similar rates of serious adverse events between groups, and tolerability issues (nausea) were mild and transient.Evidence: Serious adverse events: 17.7 vs 17.8 per 100 person-years in mothers; nausea reported in 7% vs 3%.
The incidence of serious adverse events was similar between groups in mothers (17·7 per 100 person-years in the cotrimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine group [23 events] vs 17·8 per 100 person-years in the co-trimoxazole group [25 events]) and infants (45·4 per 100 person-years [23 events] vs 40·2 per 100 person-years [21 events]).
Abstractreviewer’s wording - supportedReviewer 1The addition of IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine should be considered for policy.The efficacy and safety data support this recommendation, though the authors appropriately note the need for further implementation studies.Evidence: Primary efficacy and safety results as above.
Addition of monthly intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to the standard of care with daily unsupervised co-trimoxazole in areas of high antifolate resistance substantially improves malaria chemoprevention in pregnant women living with HIV on dolutegravir-based cART and should be considered for policy.
Abstractreviewer’s wording - supportedReviewer 1The lack of effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes is consistent with previous trials.The paper discusses this consistency with prior mefloquine trials and the González trial, and provides plausible explanations.Evidence: Discussion of prior trials and potential mechanisms.
The absence of an effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes, despite major reductions in malaria infections, is consistent with the two previous IPTp trials with mefloquine in women living with HIV, ,, and with the recent trial by González and colleagues that also assessed adding monthly IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to daily co-trimoxazole in women living with HIV.
Discussion ¶5reviewer’s wording - supportedReviewer 2Addition of monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to daily co-trimoxazole reduces the incidence of malaria infection in pregnant women living with HIV.The primary endpoint and multiple secondary analyses consistently show a significant reduction in malaria infection.Evidence: Primary endpoint: RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.30-0.67, p=0.0001); incidence rate ratio 0.32 (95% CI 0.22-0.47, p<0.0001).
“The cumulative risk of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (31 [7%] of 443 women vs 70 [15%] of 452 women, risk ratio 0·45, 95% CI 0·30–0·67; p=0·0001).”
AbstractFind in source - supportedReviewer 2The addition of monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine should be considered for policy.The efficacy and safety data support consideration for policy, though the authors appropriately note the need for further implementation studies.Evidence: Efficacy and safety results as above.
“Addition of monthly intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to the standard of care with daily unsupervised co-trimoxazole in areas of high antifolate resistance substantially improves malaria chemoprevention in pregnant women living with HIV on dolutegravir-based cART and should be considered for policy.”
AbstractFind in source
Premise concern: surrogate not validated for clinical benefit; effect size not shown to be clinically meaningful.
- INADEQUATESurrogate endpointThe primary endpoint is the incidence of Plasmodium infection detected by PCR, microscopy, RDT, or placental histology, which is a surrogate for clinical benefit. The paper does not demonstrate target engagement at the tested dose (no PK/PD data linking the dose to protective piperaquine concentrations in this population) and does not cite validated evidence linking the surrogate to clinical outcomes such as reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes. In fact, the trial found no significant difference in adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the authors acknowledge the study was not powered for these outcomes.
“The primary endpoint was the incidence of at least one Plasmodium infection detected in the peripheral (maternal) or placental (maternal) blood or tissue by PCR, microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, or placental histology (active infection) from 2 weeks after the first day of the first dose of the first course of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine or placebo to delivery inclusive.”
- INADEQUATEEffect sizeThe primary effect is a reduction in malaria infection incidence (RR 0.45, IRR 0.32), but this is a surrogate outcome. The effect size is not anchored to a clinically meaningful threshold for the surrogate, and the trial found no significant improvement in hard clinical outcomes (adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal anaemia). The authors state the study was not powered for these outcomes, so the clinical meaningfulness of the surrogate reduction is not established.
“The cumulative risk of any malaria infection during pregnancy or delivery was lower in the co-trimoxazole plus dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine group than in the co-trimoxazole plus placebo group (31 [7%] of 443 women vs 70 [15%] of 452 women, risk ratio 0·45, 95% CI 0·30–0·67; p=0·0001).”
Data authenticity concerns
None foundAn adversarial read for patterns associated with data that may not be genuine: results that look too clean, implausibly large effects, duplicated data or images, and methods that do not match the results reported.
Checked — nothing surfaced.
Reporting gaps
None foundRequired detail the manuscript never states — study design, biological variables, ethics approval and consent, key resources, statistical reporting, data and code availability, and overall transparency.
Checked — nothing surfaced.
The introduction cites prior trials of IPTp with mefloquine and the Ugandan pilot study with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, acknowledging their limitations (poor tolerability, drug-drug interactions, inconclusive results). The rationale linking the premise to the study objectives is explicit, and the study addresses prior limitations by using dolutegravir-based cART and a larger, adequately powered design.
Randomisation used computer-generated permuted blocks, stratified by site and HIV status, with allocation concealment via sealed envelopes. Blinding was comprehensive (participants, investigators, laboratory staff, data analysts). The sample size calculation is reported (80% power, 50% reduction, 898 participants). Inclusion/exclusion criteria are detailed. The modified ITT and safety populations are defined, and missing data handling (non-responder imputation) is described. As a human RCT, replicate_distinction, controls, and independent_replication are not applicable.
“Balanced randomisation was done using computer-generated permuted block randomisation stratified by site and HIV status (women diagnosed with HIV before enrolment as documented in their existing health records [ie, known positive] vs newly diagnosed).”
“All investigators, laboratory staff, data analysts, and participants were masked to treatment assignment.”
“Balanced randomisation was done using computer-generated permuted block randomisation stratified by site and HIV status”
“All investigators, laboratory staff, data analysts, and participants were masked to treatment assignment.”
Sex is reported (all pregnant women). Age, weight, height, BMI, and health status (HIV status, viral load) are reported. Demographics include residence, marital status, education, and socioeconomic status. Since both sexes are not applicable (all female), sex_justified is not applicable. Species/strain and housing conditions are not applicable for a human trial.
The paper names the ethics committees (KEMRI, College of Medicine in Malawi, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine) and states they approved the study. The CDC approved via reliance agreement. Informed consent is described as written. Regulatory compliance is implied by adherence to ethical standards, though not explicitly named (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki), but the named approvals are sufficient.
“Ethics committees of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the College of Medicine in Malawi, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine approved the study.”
“All participants provided written informed consent.”
“Ethics committees of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the College of Medicine in Malawi, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine approved the study.”
“All participants provided written informed consent.”
As a drug trial, the key resources are the investigational products. Co-trimoxazole is identified as Sulfran-DS (Universal Corporation, Nairobi, Kenya) with dose. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is identified as D-Artepp (Fosun Pharma, Shanghai, China) with dose. Placebo was provided by Fosun Pharma. Statistical software (Stata version 17) is identified. Antibodies, cell lines, mycoplasma, and organisms are not applicable.
“Statistical analyses were done with Stata version 17.”
“Statistical analyses were done with Stata version 17.”
Tests are named (log-binomial, Poisson, linear regression). Assumptions are handled by design (e.g., modified Poisson for non-convergence). Exact p-values are reported (e.g., p=0·0001). Effect sizes with 95% CIs are reported throughout. Software is identified. Data presentation includes per-group n and appropriate figures. Mathematical plausibility checks were performed on key percentages and found consistent.
The data availability statement specifies that individual participant data will be available from the WWARN repository approximately 3 months after publication. This is a concrete access route. Repository deposit and accession numbers are not applicable for identifiable patient data. Code sharing is not applicable as no bespoke code is mentioned.
“Individual participant data will be available from the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) repository approximately 3 months after publication.”
“Individual participant data will be available from the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) repository approximately 3 months after publication.”
Trial registration number (NCT04158713) is provided. Methods are comprehensive. Limitations are explicitly discussed (e.g., not powered for birth outcomes, potential social desirability bias, multiple secondary endpoints). Conclusions are appropriately cautious, noting the need for larger studies for birth outcomes. Funding and COI statements are present.
“This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (http://ClinicalTrials.gov) , NCT04158713 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04158713) .”
“A limitation is that this study was done in sites with high-grade antifolate resistance but where the prevalence of parasites with the highly resistant sextuple pfdhfr/pfdhps haplotype containing the pfdhps Ala581Gly mutation is still fairly uncommon (11% in western Kenya and 8% in southern Malawi), limiting our ability to assess potential effect modification by antifolate resistance level.”
“This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (http://ClinicalTrials.gov) , NCT04158713”
“A limitation is that this study was done in sites with high-grade antifolate resistance but where the prevalence of parasites with the highly resistant sextuple pfdhfr/pfdhps haplotype containing the pfdhps Ala581Gly mutation is still fairly uncommon”
Registered (1 ID: ClinicalTrials.gov). No reporting guideline cited.
Broken references and links
None foundReferences checked against Crossref, OpenAlex and Retraction Watch for retractions and resolvability, plus declared data and code links probed for whether they resolve to content matching the paper.
Checked — nothing surfaced.
Checked 33 references by DOI: 1 verified — 32 no DOI (shown, not verified).
- NO DOIThe burden of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and malaria in pregnant women in sub-saharan AfricaNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOISafety and efficacy of co-trimoxazole for treatment and prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a systematic reviewNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIPrevention of malaria in pregnancyNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOICotrimoxazole prophylaxis versus mefloquine intermittent preventive treatment to prevent malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women: two randomized controlled trialsNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIIntermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with mefloquine in HIV-infected women receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis: a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOITolerability of mefloquine intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women in BeninNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIReduced nevirapine concentrations among HIV-positive women receiving mefloquine for intermittent preventive treatment for malaria control during pregnancyNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIIntermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the prevention of malaria among HIV-infected pregnant womenNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIAntiretroviral therapy with efavirenz accentuates pregnancy-associated reduction of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine exposure during malaria chemopreventionNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIPredicting optimal dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine regimens to prevent malaria during pregnancy for human immunodeficiency virus-infected women receiving efavirenzNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIIntermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy: optimization of target concentrations of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquineNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIImpact of dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy on piperaquine exposure following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnant women living with HIVNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIInterpreting trial results following use of different intention-to-treat approaches for preventing attrition bias: a meta-epidemiological study protocolNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEffect of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine for malaria intermittent preventive treatment on dolutegravir exposure in pregnant women living with HIVNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIDrug interactions between dolutegravir and artemether-lumefantrine or artesunateamodiaquineNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIMefloquine for preventing malaria in pregnant womenNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIIPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine versus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Africa: an individual participant data meta-analysisNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIIntermittent screening and treatment or intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine versus intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine for the control of malaria during pregnancy in western Kenya: an open-label, three-group, randomised controlled superiority trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIDihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the prevention of malaria in pregnancyNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIMonthly sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine versus dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy: a double-blind, randomised, controlled, superiority trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEffectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaqunine against malaria in pregnancy in Tanzania: a randomized controlled trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEffect of monthly intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine with and without azithromycin versus monthly sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Africa: a double-blind randomised, partly placebo-controlled trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEfficacy and safety of IPTp-DP versus IPTp-SP in Malawi (STOPMIP-MW)No DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEpidemiology and burden of malaria in pregnancyNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIMalaria in pregnancy: from placental infection to its abnormal development and damageNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIThe anti-inflammatory effects of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for people living with human immunodeficiency virus in sub-Saharan AfricaNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIThe positive effect of malaria IPTp-SP on birthweight is mediated by gestational weight gain but modifiable by maternal carriage of enteric pathogensNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIOverall, anti-malarial, and non-malarial effect of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine on birthweight: a mediation analysisNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIPiperaquine-induced QTc prolongation decreases with repeated monthly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine dosing in pregnant Ugandan womenNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIEfficacy and safety of intermittent preventive treatment and intermittent screening and treatment versus single screening and treatment with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine for the control of malaria in pregnancy in Indonesia: a cluster-randomised, open-label, superiority trialNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOIWHO Guidelines for malariaNo DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
- NO DOISpatiotemporal spread of Plasmodium falciparum mutations for resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine across Africa, 1990–2020No DOI in the reference — shown for manual review; not independently verifiable (not a fabrication signal).
1 data/code link checked; 1 live.
- datahttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04158713LIVEHTTP 200Resolves, but the content could not be matched to the paper.
Copyediting
1 minorWording, consistency and formatting errors that need correcting before submission.
No major wording or formatting errors. 1 minor suggestion below.
1 copyedit issue flagged: mostly typo.
- MINORtypoTable 3 footnote“n=4l6”→ n=416Typographical error in the footnote.
The published work is robust and methodologically sound. An informed reader should weigh the minor reporting gaps (missing explicit CONSORT and Declaration of Helsinki statements) and the typo in Table 3 footnote, but none of these undermine the validity of the findings. No erratum is warranted for the typo, though the authors may consider a correction for completeness.
- 1.MEDIUMreportingAdd an explicit statement in the Methods (or Acknowledgements) that the trial was reported in accordance with the CONSORT guideline.Both reviewers noted the reporting guideline is not explicitly mentioned; adding this strengthens transparency and aligns with journal expectations.
- 2.MEDIUMethicsAdd a sentence in the Methods stating that the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.Reviewer 2 flagged regulatory_compliance as inadequate because the ethical framework is not explicitly named; this is a simple fix.
- 3.MEDIUMcopyeditCorrect the typo in Table 3 footnote: change 'n=4l6' to 'n=416'.The copyedit pass identified this typographical error; it should be fixed to avoid confusion.
- 4.LOWdata codeConsider adding a link to the statistical analysis plan or protocol in the data sharing section.Reviewer 2 suggested this to enhance transparency and reproducibility.
- 5.LOWreportingConsider reporting exact p-values for all secondary endpoints in the text, as some are only reported as thresholds in tables.Reviewer 1 noted that some secondary endpoints only report p<0.0001; providing exact values would improve precision.
- 6.LOWdata codeClarify the data access procedure for the WWARN repository, including any conditions for access.Reviewer 1 suggested this to fully meet the data availability criterion.
The star rating is the report’s one-glance summary. Every paper starts at 5★ and loses stars for the concrete problems the review finds — so a rating is never a vague average, it’s a running total you can read line by line under “How this rating was calculated.”
- Reporting — 8 dimensionseach dimension that fully fails−½★
- each dimension partially met−¼★
- Statistics · Integrity · Claimseach serious problem−1★
- each medium problem−½★
- Citationseach retracted or unverifiable reference−¼★
- Copyeditonly when the manuscript needs a full edit−½★
The rating never drops below 1★, and a demonstrable critical failure (an impossible statistic, a proven ethics violation) caps it at 1★ on its own — so the stars can never look healthy when the verdict is CRITICAL.
The rating draws on a panel of agents. Three independent Kaimen Rigor reviewers grade the eight dimensions below across several independent passes (the shown verdict is their majority vote — steadier than any single run), isolate the paper’s major claims and check its own evidence backs them, and flag integrity concerns. Alongside them, a citation agent resolves every reference against Crossref, OpenAlex, and Retraction Watch; a statistics agent recomputes reported tests; and rule-based checks verify that declared data/code links actually resolve. Full text is required — an abstract-only submission is not analyzed.
Graded against NIH, MDAR, ARRIVE 2.0, CONSORT, EQUATOR, and RRID guidelines. A dimension that doesn’t apply to the study type is skipped, never penalized.
This Kaimen Rigor review is model-assisted and is not a substitute for formal expert review. It complements human evaluation by surfacing potential methodological concerns — verify each finding against the source.