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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
Measuring Naturally Acquired Phagocytosis-Inducing Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum Parasites by a Flow Cytometry-Based Assay
Published on: August 6, 2020
Decrease of microscopic Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence during pregnancy following IPTp-SP implementation
M K Bouyou-Akotet1, D P Mawili-Mboumba2, E Kendjo3
1Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, Libreville, Gabon Malaria Clinical and Operational Research Unit (MCORU), Centre Hospitalier Regional de l´Estuaire Melen, Libreville, Gabon mariellebouyou@gmail.com.
Background:
Six years after the implementation of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in Gabon, its impact on placental malaria and pregnancy outcomes remains unknown.
Methods:
Age, gestational data, use of IPTp-SP and birth weight were recorded during a hospital-based cross-sectional survey performed in 2011 in 387 women at the end of pregnancy.
Results:
Malaria prevalence was 6.7 and 5.3% in peripheral and placental blood respectively. Overall, 59.0% women took at least two IPTp-SP doses which was associated with 50% reduction of Plasmodium; (P.) falciparum infection in primigravidae. Previous malaria treatment was a risk factor for peripheral P. falciparum infection, while uptake of IPTp-SP was associated with reduced parasitaemia. Anaemia prevalence was 38.0%, low birth weight and prematurity rates were 6.0 and 12.0% respectively. Young age was associated with a higher frequency of malaria, anaemia, low birth weight and preterm delivery (p<0.01). Birth weight significantly rose with increasing age (p<0.01), parity (p=0.03) and number of SP doses (p=0.03). A birth weight reduction of 230 g in case of peripheral parasitaemia (p=0.02) and of 210 g with placental parasitaemia (p=0.13) was observed.
Conclusions:
Microscopic P. falciparum prevalence during pregnancy significantly declined between 2005 and 2011, following IPTp-SP implementation in Gabon. Young women and paucigravidae remain the most susceptible to malaria and associated outcomes.
