scholarly journals Dynamics of the Composition of Plasmodium Species Contained within Asymptomatic Malaria Infections in the Central Region of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dorcas Bredu ◽  
Dickson Donu ◽  
Linda Eva Amoah
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Dried Blood Spots ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Plasmodium

Background. Monitoring changes in the composition of the Plasmodium species circulating within the population over a period can inform appropriate treatment recommendations. This study monitored variations in the prevalence of four common human Plasmodium species carried by children with asymptomatic malaria infections over a two-year period. Methods. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in November 2017 and December 2019. A total of 210 children aged between 4 and 13 years were recruited in 2017, and 164 similarly aged children were recruited in 2019. Approximately 150 μl of finger-pricked blood was used to prepare thick and thin blood smears as well as spot Whatman® #3 filter paper. Genomic DNA was extracted from the dried blood spots and used in PCR to amplify the 18S rRNA gene from four different human Plasmodium parasites. Results. Parasite prevalence by microscopy and the prevalence of P. falciparum detected by PCR was relatively similar at the two time points (Pearson chi-square = 0.405, p = 0.525 , and Pearson chi-square = 0.452, p = 0.501 , respectively). However, the prevalence of PCR detectable P. malariae increased by 8.5-fold, whilst P. ovale increased from 0 to 9% in the children sampled in 2019 relative to the children sampled in 2017. The only parasite species identified by microscopy in this study was P. falciparum, and no P. vivax was identified by either microscopy or PCR in the study population during the study period. Conclusion. There is the need to implement molecular diagnostic tools for malaria parasite surveillance in Ghana. This will enable the identification and treatment of all circulating malaria parasites including P. malariae and P. ovale, whose population is expanding in parts of Ghana including Simiw.

scholarly journals Probing the composition of Plasmodium species contained in malaria infections in the Eastern region of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Eva Amoah ◽  
Dickson Donu ◽  
Benjamin Abuaku ◽  
Colins Ahorlu ◽  
Daniel Arhinful ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Filter Paper ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Test Kit

Abstract Background Asymptomatic falciparum and non-falciparum malaria infections are major challenges to malaria control interventions, as they remain a source of continual infection in the community. This becomes even more important as the debate moves towards elimination and eradication. This study sought to quantify the burden of Plasmodium malaria infection in seven communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods The cross-sectional study recruited 729 participants aged 85 years old and below from 7 closely linked communities. Finger pricked blood was used to prepare thick and thin blood smears as well as spot filter paper and an histidine rich protein 2 (HRP2) rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT). Genomic DNA was extracted from the filter paper dry blood spot (DBS) and used in PCR to amplify the Plasmodium 18S rRNA gene using species specific PCR. Results 96.6% of the participants were identified as afebrile, with axillary temperatures below 37.5 °C. PCR identified 66% of the participants to harbor malaria parasites, with 9 P. malariae and 7 P. ovale mono-infections accounting for 2.2% and P. falciparum combined with either 36 P. malariae or 25 P. ovale infections, accounting for 13.3%. Parasite prevalence by microscopy (32%) was similar to the RDT positivity rate (33%). False positive RDT results ranged from 64.6% in children aged between 5 and 9 years to 10% in adults aged 20 years and above. No significant differences were observed in falciparum and non-falciparum parasite carriage at the community level, however young adults aged between 15 and 19 years had the highest prevalence (34.8% (16/46)) of P. falciparum and P. malariae parasite carriage whilst children aged between 5 and 9 years had the highest level (11.4% (14/123)) of P. ovale carriage. Conclusion The high rate of misidentification of non-falciparum parasites and the total absence of detection of P. ovale by microscopy suggests that more sensitive malaria diagnostic tools including molecular assays are required to accurately determine the prevalence of carriers of non-falciparum parasites and low density P. falciparum infections, especially during national surveillance exercises. Additionally, malaria control interventions targeting the non-falciparum species P. malariae and P. ovale parasites are needed.

scholarly journals Estimating the Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria Parasite Carriage in Southern Ghana: Utility of Molecular and Serological Diagnostic Tools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Bukari Abagna ◽  
Eric Rodgier ◽  
Aminata Colle Lo ◽  
Zakaria Abukari ◽  
Sophie Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Dried Blood Spots ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Parasite Infections ◽  
Photo Induced Electron Transfer

Abstract Background. Asymptomatic malaria infections can serve as potential reservoirs for malaria transmission. These infections range from microscopic to submicroscopic densities, making an accurate estimation of asymptomatic parasite carriage highly dependent on the sensitivity of the tool used for the diagnosis. This study sought to evaluate the sensitivities of a variety of molecular and serological diagnostic tool at determining the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasite infections in two communities of varying malaria parasite prevalence.Methods. Whole blood from 194 afebrile participants aged between 6- and 70-years old living in a high (Obom) and a low (Asutsuare) malaria transmission setting of Ghana was used in this study. Thick and thin blood smears, an HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and filter paper dried blood spots (DBS) were prepared from each blood sample. Genomic DNA was extracted from the remaining blood and used in Plasmodium specific photo-induced electron transfer polymerase chain reaction (PET-PCR) and Nested PCR, whilst the HRP2 antigen content of the DBS was estimated using a bead immunoassay. Comparison of prevalence as determined by each method was performed.Results. Parasite prevalence in the high transmission site of Obom was estimated at 71.4%, 61.9%, 60%, 37.8% and 19.1% by Nested PCR, the HRP2 bead assay, PET-PCR, HRP2-RDT and microscopy respectively. Parasite prevalence in the low transmission site of Asutsuare was estimated at 50.1%, 11.2%, 5.6%, 0% and 2.2% by Nested PCR, the HRP2 bead assay, PET-PCR, RDT and microscopy respectively.Conclusions: Nested PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity by identifying the highest prevalence of asymptomatic P. falciparum in both the high and low parasite prevalence setting. However, parasite prevalence estimated by the HRP2 bead assay and PET-PCR had the highest level of inter-rater agreement relative to all the other tools tested and have the advantage of requiring fewer processing steps and producing quantitative results relative Nested PCR. These advantages make PET-PCR and the HRP2 bead assay very useful tools for estimating malaria parasite prevalence in community surveys in these settings.

scholarly journals G6PD deficiency among malaria-infected national groups at the western part of Myanmar with implications for primaquine use in malaria elimination

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Thwe Han ◽  
Zay Yar Han ◽  
Kyin Hla Aye ◽  
Khin Thet Wai ◽  
Aung Thi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
G6pd Deficiency ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Radical Cure ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) plays a central role in readiness assessment for malaria elimination in Myanmar by 2030 that includes primaquine (PQ) use. The risk of hemolysis in G6PDd individuals hampers the widespread use of primaquine safely in malaria-infected patients. In the pre-elimination era, it is important to screen initially for asymptomatic malaria in combination with G6PD deficiency by applying more sensitive diagnostic tools. Therefore, this study examined the proportion of G6PDd and the distribution of G6PD genotypes among malaria-infected national groups in Myanmar before initiation of malaria elimination strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study in one township each with high malaria burden from two states in the western part of Myanmar, was conducted during 2016-2018, and 320 participants (164 Rakhine and 156 Chin National groups) were recruited. We used RDT and ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction (us PCR) method to confirm malaria infection, and a G6PD RDT(CareStart) to detect G6PDd and PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method to confirm the variant of G6PDd for genotyping. G6PD enzyme activity was measured by G6PD Biosensor (CareStart). Results Malaria positivity rates detected by RDT were lower than those detected by us PCR in the combined samples [13% (42/320) vs. 21% (67/320)] as well as in the Rakhine samples [17% (28/164) vs. 25% (41/164)] and in Chin samples [9% (14/156) vs. 17% (26/156)]. G6PD deficiency rates were approximately 10% in both the combined samples and specific national groups. For G6PD enzyme activity in the combined samples, G6PDd (defined as < 30% of adjusted male median) was 10% (31/320) and severe G6PDd (< 10% of AMM) was 3% (9/320). Among malaria-infected patients with positive by both RDT and usPCR, G6PDd was less than 20% in each national group. G6PD genotyping showed that the G6PD Mahidol (G487A) was the major variant. Conclusions The varying degree of G6PDd detected among malaria-infected national groups by advanced diagnostic tools, strongly support the recommend G6PD testing by the National Malaria Control Program and the subsequent safe treatment of P. vivax by primaquine for radical cure. Establishing a field monitoring system to achieve timely malaria elimination is mandatory to observe the safety of patients after PQ treatment.

scholarly journals The epidemiology and detectability of asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infections in low, moderate and high transmission settings in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elifaged Hailemeskel ◽  
Surafel K Tebeje ◽  
Sinknesh W. Behaksra ◽  
Girma Shumie ◽  
Getasew Shitaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Rapid Diagnostics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Transmission ◽  
High Transmission ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract Background As countries move to malaria elimination, detecting and targeting asymptomatic malaria infections might be needed. Here, the epidemiology and detectability of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections were investigated in different transmission settings in Ethiopia. Method: A total of 1093 dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected from afebrile and apparently healthy individuals across ten study sites in Ethiopia from 2016 to 2020. Of these, 862 were from community and 231 from school based cross-sectional surveys. Malaria infection status was determined by microscopy or rapid diagnostics tests (RDT) and 18S rRNA-based nested PCR (nPCR). The annual parasite index (API) was used to classify endemicity as low (API > 0 and < 5), moderate (API ≥ 5 and < 100) and high transmission (API ≥ 100) and detectability of infections was assessed in these settings. Results In community surveys, the overall prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections by microscopy/RDT, nPCR and all methods combined was 12.2% (105/860), 21.6% (183/846) and 24.1% (208/862), respectively. The proportion of nPCR positive infections that was detectable by microscopy/RDT was 48.7% (73/150) for P. falciparum and 4.6% (2/44) for P. vivax. Compared to low transmission settings, the likelihood of detecting infections by microscopy/RDT was increased in moderate (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.6–7.2, P = 0.002) and high endemic settings (AOR = 5.1; 95% CI 2.6–9.9, P < 0.001). After adjustment for site and correlation between observations from the same survey, the likelihood of detecting asymptomatic infections by microscopy/RDT (AOR per year increase = 0.95, 95% CI 0.9–1.0, P = 0.013) declined with age. Conclusions Conventional diagnostics missed nearly half of the asymptomatic Plasmodium reservoir detected by nPCR. The detectability of infections was particularly low in older age groups and low transmission settings. These findings highlight the need for sensitive diagnostic tools to detect the entire parasite reservoir and potential infection transmitters.

scholarly journals Small Subunit Ribosomal DNA Sequence ShowsParacoccidioides brasiliensis Closely Related toBlastomyces dermatitidis

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 3190-3193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Bialek ◽  
Aida Ibricevic ◽  
Annette Fothergill ◽  
Dominik Begerow
Keyword(s):  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Dimorphic Fungus ◽  
The Family

The similarities of paracoccidioidomycosis and blastomycosis are highly suggestive of a close relation of the two etiological agents. Whereas the agent of the first disease is exclusively endemic in Latin America, the agent of the latter one is endemic in North America and Africa. In symptomatic travelers visiting both areas of endemicity, differentiation of the diseases might be impossible, even though therapy and prognosis for these two diseases differ significantly. In order to identify differences in the 18S rRNA gene (rDNA) for use as molecular diagnostic tools, we sequenced this gene from five isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and compared them to known sequences of other fungi. Neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood analyses and, finally, the Kishino-Hasegawa test revealed that P. brasiliensis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Emmonsia parva are more closely related than Histoplasma capsulatum and B. dermatitidis, whose teleomorphic forms belong to one genus,Ajellomyces. In accordance with the work of other investigators who have used internal transcribed spacer and large subunit rDNA sequences, our small subunit rDNA data show that the dimorphic fungus P. brasiliensis must be grouped within the order Onygenales and is closely related to members of the family Onygenaceae. There are hints in the molecular phylogenetic analysis that the family Onygenaceae might be further divided into two families. The subgroup that includes P. brasiliensis comprises all zoopathogenic species. The differences in the 18S rDNAs appear to be too small to allow species identification of the members of the family Onygenaceae pathogenic for humans by use of target sequences within this gene.

scholarly journals The Epidemiology and Detectability of Asymptomatic Plasmodium Vivax and Plasmodium Falciparum Infections in Low, Moderate and High Transmission Settings in Ethiopia 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elifaged Hailemeskel ◽  
Surafel K Tebeje ◽  
Sinknesh Behaksra ◽  
Girma Shumie ◽  
Getasew Shitaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Rapid Diagnostics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Transmission ◽  
High Transmission ◽  
School Based ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract Background: As countries move to malaria elimination, detecting and targeting asymptomatic malaria infections might be needed. Here, we investigated the epidemiology and detectability of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections in different transmission settings in Ethiopia.Method: A total of 1093 dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected from afebrile and apparently healthy individuals across ten study sites in Ethiopia from 2016 to 2020. Of these, 862 were from community and 231 from school based cross-sectional surveys. Malaria infection status was determined by microscopy or rapid diagnostics tests (RDT) and 18S rRNA based nested PCR (nPCR). The annual parasite index (API) was used to classify endemicity as low (API>0 and<5), moderate (API ≥5 and <100) and high transmission (API≥100) and detectability of infections was assessed in these settings. Results: In community surveys, the overall prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections by microscopy/RDT, nPCR and all methods combined was 12.2% (105/860), 21.6% (183/846) and 24.1% (208/862), respectively. The proportion of nPCR positive infections that was detectable by microscopy/RDT was 48.7% (73/150) for P. falciparum and 4.6% (2/44) for P. vivax. Compared to low transmission settings, the likelihood of detecting infections by microscopy/RDT was increased in moderate (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.4; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]:1.6-7.2, P=0.002) and high endemic settings (AOR=5.1; 95%CI=2.6-9.9, P<0.001). After adjustment for site and correlation between observations from the same survey, the likelihood of detecting asymptomatic infections by microscopy/RDT (AOR per year increase = 0.95, 95%CI=0.9-1.0, P=0.013) declined with age.Conclusion: Conventional diagnostics missed nearly half of the asymptomatic Plasmodium reservoir detected by nPCR. The detectability of infections was particularly low in older age groups and low transmission settings. These findings highlight the need for sensitive diagnostic tools to detect the entire parasite reservoir and potential infection transmitters.

scholarly journals Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infections in selected military camps in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Akili Kalinga ◽  
Reginald A. Kavishe ◽  
Deus S Ishengoma ◽  
Gibson Kagaruki ◽  
Clement Mweya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Malaria Surveillance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Military Recruits ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Despite a decrease in malaria burden reported between 2000 and 2015, an increasing trend of malaria transmission has been recently reported in some endemic countries including Tanzania. Periodic monitoring to identify pocket areas for asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection   is vital for malaria elimination efforts. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infections among military recruits in selected camps in Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 at four military camps (Bulombora, Mgambo, Ruvu, and Rwamkoma) of National Service located in regions with varying malaria endemicity in Tanzania.  Finger prick blood samples collected from asymptomatic military recruits who had been at the camps for over two months were simultaneously tested using microscopy and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) to detect malaria parasite infections. Results: Malaria parasite prevalence among asymptomatic recruits was 20.3% and 19.4% by microscopy and mRDT respectively. There was moderate agreement (Kappa=0.724) between microscopy and mRDT test results. A significant difference (p<0.001) of malaria parasite prevalence among the four study camps was observed; ranging from 1.9% in Bulombora to 39.4% in Rwamkoma. The geometric mean parasite density was 11,053 asexual parasites/µl and most recruits (56.8%) had 200 to 1999 asexual parasites/µl. P. falciparum was the predominant (99.2%) malaria parasite species. Conclusion: Our study found high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infections among military recruits in the selected camps, and this varied from one camp to another. The study has highlighted that public residence institutions such as military camps can be potential hotspots for malaria infection and therefore should not be skipped in routine national malaria surveillance system for monitoring trends of infections

scholarly journals Comparative Performance Evaluation of Symptomology, Point-of-Care Test and Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Malaria on Suspected Malaria Cases in Katsina, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Yusuf Ado ◽  
Mahmoud Yandutse ◽  
Mba Chinedu ◽  
Usman Lawal ◽  
Mustapha M. Jarmai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Malaria Diagnosis ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Test Kit

Malaria is the most dominant cause of human morbidity and mortality with huge medical, psychological and economic impact in Nigeria. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is one of the key components in the control of malaria disease. In Katsina State, clinical (symptomatic) diagnosis and Pf HRP-2 RDT are the two main methods routinely used for the diagnosis of malaria. Only tertiary, secondary and few primary hospitals employ microscopy in malaria diagnosis. This study was done to assess the performance of the clinical diagnosis, SD-BioLine (PfHRP-2) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and Microscopy in the diagnosis of Malaria disease in Katsina State. In this cross-sectional study, involving three hospitals, blood samples of 400 clinically suspected malaria patients were tested for malaria using microscopy with Giemsa-stained films and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), using SD Bioline Pf HRP-2 kit. Malaria prevalence using microscopy was 29.8% (119/400). Pf HRP-2 RDT recorded lower sensitivity with a parasite prevalence of 23.8% (95/400). PfHRP-2 RDT was able to identify only patients infected with P. falciparum in comparison to microscopy that detected a prevalence of 6% of malaria infections other than P. falciparum. The research indicated that clinical diagnosis in Katsina state is not very effective in malaria treatment. PfHRP-2 RDT is not an ideal test kit, as there exist, other Plasmodium species, in Katsina State that can equally cause malaria infection.

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiological surveillance of Africa and Asia imported malaria in Wuhan, Central China: comparison of diagnostic tools during 2011–2018

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiting Xie ◽  
Kai Wu ◽  
Weijia Cheng ◽  
Tingting Jiang ◽  
Yi Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Imported Malaria ◽  
Central China ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Blood Samples

Abstract Background Malaria remains a serious public health problem globally. As the elimination of indigenous malaria continues in China, imported malaria has gradually become a major health hazard. Well-timed and accurate diagnoses could support the timely implementation of therapeutic schedules, reveal the prevalence of imported malaria and avoid transmission of the disease. Methods Blood samples were collected in Wuhan, China, from August 2011 to December 2018. All patients accepted microscopy and rapid diagnosis test (RDT) examinations. Subsequently, each of the positive or suspected positive cases was tested for four human-infectious Plasmodium species by using 18S rRNA-based nested PCR and Taqman probe-based real-time PCR. The results of the microscopy and the two molecular diagnostic methods were analysed. Importation origins were traced by country, and the prevalence of Plasmodium species was analysed by year. Results A total of 296 blood samples, including 288 that were microscopy and RDT positive, 7 RDT and Plasmodium falciparum positive, and 1 suspected case, were collected and reanalysed. After application of the two molecular methods and sequencing, 291 cases including 245 P. falciparum, 15 Plasmodium vivax, 20 Plasmodium ovale, 6 Plasmodium malariae and 5 mixed infections (3 P. falciparum + P. ovale, 2 P. vivax + P. ovale) were confirmed. These patients had returned from Africa (95.53%) and Asia (4.47%). Although the prevalence displayed a small-scale fluctuation, the overall trend of the imported cases increased yearly. Conclusions These results emphasize the necessity of combined utilization of the four tools for malaria diagnosis in clinic and in field surveys of potential risk regions worldwide including Wuhan.

scholarly journals The Role of Sex in Malaria-COVID19 Coinfection and Some Associated Factors in Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
E. O. Onosakponome ◽  
M. N. Wogu
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Rivers State

Objectives. Data on the coinfection of malaria and COVID-19 is highly limited especially in Africa due to the novel nature of the pandemic COVID-19. Malaria and COVID-19 share striking similarities in their symptoms. A cross-sectional randomized study was conducted to investigate the role of sex in the coinfection of malaria and COVID-19 as well as some associated factors in Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods. Ethical approval was obtained from the Rivers State Health and Ethics Committee before the commencement of this study, and the study was conducted at the COVID-19 Treatment Center Medical Laboratory, Rivers State, Nigeria. Intravenous blood samples from three hundred randomly selected consenting study participants were examined for Plasmodium species using Giemsa microscopy, while pretested questionnaires were used to obtain data on sex, risk factors, and symptoms. All data generated were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test with a P < 0.05 value considered significant. Results. All study participants had Plasmodium species (100% prevalence) with varying parasite loads, and P. falciparum was the only species observed. Study participants (irrespective of sex) with low and high parasitaemia had the highest and least prevalence, respectively ( P > 0.05 ). Male study participants experienced more symptoms than females ( P > 0.05 ) except for sore throat which had an equal value among males and females. Travel history was the only risk factor that showed significant association with sex, and males had a higher value than females ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Malaria and COVID-19 are major public health issues in Nigeria; more researches on these diseases especially in epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine production are vital.

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