Epidemiology of parasitic co-infections during pregnancy in Lambaréné, Gabon.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the epidemiologic data of parasitic infections and co-infections in pregnant women in Lambaréné, Gabon.


METHODS
In Lambaréné, Gabon--a region of high endemicity for Plasmodium falciparum and helminths--we conducted a longitudinal survey of malaria and helminth infections during pregnancy.


RESULTS
Of 388 pregnant women included in the study, 98 (25%) experienced at least one episode of P. falciparum infection (incidence of 2.6 infections per year of pregnancy). One hundred and seventy pregnant women (49%) were infected with intestinal helminths, and 41 (12%) harboured Shistosoma haematobium. In total, 230 (65%) pregnant women carried at least one parasitic infection are 74 (22%) harboured at least two or more parasite species. Ascaris lumbricoides and primiparity were independently associated with Plasmodium infection during pregnancy [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 2.4, (1.4-3.8); 2.1, (1.3-3.5), respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a high burden of parasitic infections with substantial degree of parasitic co-infections in pregnant women in a Central African region. This may have implications for immunological studies and operational research involving pregnant women.
Adegnika
Ayôla A
AA
Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon. aadegnika@yahoo.fr
Ramharter
Michael
M
Agnandji
Selidji T
ST
Ateba Ngoa
Ulysse
U
Issifou
Saadou
S
Yazdanbahksh
Maria
M
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult