Co-infections of Malaria and Geohelminthiasis in Two Rural Communities of Nkassomo and Vian in the Mfou Health District, Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundHuman co-infection with malaria and helmimths is ubiquitous throughout Africa. Nevertheless, its public health significance on malaria severity remains poorly understood.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo contribute to a better understanding of epidemiology and control of this co-infection in Cameroon, a cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of concomitant intestinal geohelminthiasis and malaria, and to evaluate its association with malaria and anaemia in Nkassomo and Vian. Finger prick blood specimens from a total of 263 participants aged 1–95 years were collected for malaria microscopy, assessment of haemoglobin levels, and molecular identification of Plasmodium species by PCR. Fresh stool specimens were also collected for the identification and quantification of geohelminths by the Kato-Katz method. The prevalence of malaria, geohelminths, and co-infections were 77.2%, 28.6%, and 22.1%, respectively. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria parasite species identified with mean parasite density of 111 (40; 18,800) parasites/µl of blood. The geohelminths found were Ascaris lumbricoides (21.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (10.8%), with mean parasite densities of 243 (24; 3,552) and 36 (24; 96) eggs/gram of faeces, respectively. Co-infections of A. lumbricoides and P. falciparum were the most frequent and correlated positively. While no significant difference was observed on the prevalences of single and co-infections between the two localities, there was a significant difference in the density of A. lumbricoides infection between the two localities. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 42%, with individuals co-infected with T. trichiura and P. falciparum (60%) being the most at risk. While the prevalence of malaria and anaemia were inversely related to age, children aged 5–14 years were more susceptible to geohelminthiasis and their co-infections with malaria.Conclusion/SignificanceCo-existence of geohelminths and malaria parasites in Nkassomo and Vian enhances the occurrence of co-infections, and consequently, increases the risk for anaemia.

Soil-transmitted helminths and plasmodium falciparum malaria among individuals living in different agroecosystems in two rural communities in the mount Cameroon area: a cross-sectional study

“…On the other hand, studies in the same area [33] and in Mfou Health District [19] revealed the contrary. The higher prevalence and density of Ascaris and Trichuris infections may be related to the population at risk of infection in the different agroecosystem and gender-related roles.…”

Multiparasitism among Schoolchildren of Akonolinga, Nyong et Mfoumou Division, Centre Region of Cameroon

“…It is similar to that of Zeukeng et al . [7] 77.2% among general population in the Centre Region of the same country. Conversely, our finding is higher than 26.6% obtained by Lehman et al .…”

“…The climate is typically equatorial with two discontinuous dry and wet seasons. The annual average rainfall is 2000 mm with an annual average temperature of 24°C [7] . The hydrographic network is dense with two main rivers: Nyong and Mfoumou.…”

Burden of Malaria in Children Presenting with Anaemia at Ola During’s Children’s Hospital in Freetown Sierra Leone

“…n = sample size z = confidence interval (95%) = 1.96 p= 22.1% = 0.221 (proportion of children aged less than 5 years, with helminth and malaria co-infection, estimated as per Francis Zeukeng et al study in Cameroon [5]).…”