Epidemiology and diversity of Plasmodium species in Franceville and their implications for malaria control
Malaria is a significant public health challenge in Gabon, with high prevalence rates in rural and semi-urban areas. This study investigated Plasmodium infection prevalence among outpatients at a medical laboratory in Franceville, Gabon, in 2020. Data from 500 patients were analyzed, revealing an overall infection rate of 33.2% and the presence of four Plasmodium species: P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and possibly P. vivax for the first time in Gabon. Co-infections were common, with P. falciparum and P. ovale spp. being the most prevalent at 23.5%. Asymptomatic infections accounted for 81.3% of cases, while symptomatic infections were 18.7%. P. falciparum was associated with symptomatic cases, while non-falciparum species were linked to asymptomatic infections. The findings suggest Franceville has perennial malaria transmission, highlighting the role of Plasmodium species diversity in disease severity and clinical presentation, including the first report of P. vivax infection in the Gabonese population.
Authors
- Jean Bernard Lékana-Douki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9417-1358)
- Larson Boundenga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9551-3017)
- Clark Mbou-Boutambe
- Richard Onanga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0461-4670)
- Clauve Jauvert Moukagni-Mussadji (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5027-2122)
- Fabrice Kassa-Kassa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9509-2611)
- Dorothé Marielle Wora (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1934-4423)
- Francine Ntoumi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4748-050X)
- Michelle Bignoumba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0031-3114)
- Cyrille Bisseyé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-6317)
- Neil Michel Longo-Pendy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7475-3752)
- Yann Vital Sima-Biyang
- Ayôla Akim Adégnika (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3197-5946)
Institutions
- Durham University (GB)
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (GA)
- Fondation Congolaise Pour La Recherche Médicale (CG)
- Université des Sciences de la Santé (GA)
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (GA)
- German Center for Infection Research (DE)
- Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (GA)
- University of Tübingen (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2024-12-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83487-0
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Malaria Research and Control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.63
Funders
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville
- European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership