Malaria and COVID-19 prevalence in a population of febrile children and adolescents living in Libreville
Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Malaria and COVID-19 prevalence in a population of febrile children and adolescents living in Libreville | |
| Creator | Moutombi Ditombi, Bridy C. Pongui Ngondza, Bedrich Manomba Boulingui, Charleine Mbang Nguema, Ornella A. Ndong Ngomo, Jack M. M’Bondoukwé, Noe P. Moutongo, Reinne Mawili-Mboumba, Denise P. Bouyou Akotet, Marielle K. | |
| Description | Background: Patients with acute febrile illness need to be screened for malaria and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in malaria-endemic areas to reduce malaria mortality rates and to prevent the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Objectives: To estimate the frequency of children and adolescents with COVID-19 and/or malaria among febrile patients attending for malaria diagnosisMethod: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a sentinel site for malaria surveillance during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Omicron variant), from October 2021 to December 2021 in Gabon. All febrile patients were tested for malaria using microscopy. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid antigen tests developed by Sansure Biotech®.Results: A total of 135 patients were screened. Their median age was 6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–14) years. Malaria was confirmed for 49 (36.3%) patients, 29 (32.5%) children, 13 (59.0%) adolescents and 7 (29.2%) adults. The frequency of COVID-19 cases was 7.4% (n = 10/135), and it was comparable between children (n = 6; 6.7%), adolescents (n = 2; 9.1%) and adults (n = 2; 8.3%) (p = 0.17). Malaria and COVID-19 co-infections were diagnosed in 3 (6.1%) patients from all the age groups. Participants with a co-infection had a higher median temperature, a higher median parasitaemia, and were mostly infected with non-falciparum malaria.Conclusion: COVID-19 cases and cases of malaria/COVID-19 co-infections were found in febrile children and adolescents. SARS-CoV-2 testing should be included in the screening of suspected malaria cases.Contribution: This study highlights the presence of malaria-COVID-19 coinfection among children and adolescents who should also be screened for both diseases, like for adults. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS Publishing | |
| Date | 2022-10-26 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajid.v37i1.459 | |
| Source | Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases; Vol 37, No 1 (2022); 5 pages 2313-1810 2312-0053 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/459/1077
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/459/1078
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/459/1079
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/459/1080
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