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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Measuring Naturally Acquired Phagocytosis-Inducing Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum Parasites by a Flow Cytometry-Based Assay
Published on: August 6, 2020
Epidemiology of parasitic co-infections during pregnancy in Lambaréné, Gabon
Ayôla A Adegnika1, Michael Ramharter, Selidji T Agnandji
1Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon. aadegnika@yahoo.fr
Summary Objectives:
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].
Conclusion:
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.
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