Non-falciparum malaria infection and IgG seroprevalence among children under 15 years in Nigeria, 2018

Nat Commun. 2023 Mar 13;14(1):1360. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37010-0.

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is the dominant malaria parasite in Nigeria though P. vivax (Pv), P. ovale (Po), and P. malariae (Pm) are also endemic. Blood samples (n = 31,234) were collected from children aged 0-14 years during a 2018 nationwide HIV survey and assayed for Plasmodium antigenemia, Plasmodium DNA, and IgG against Plasmodium MSP1-19 antigens. Of all children, 6.6% were estimated to have Pm infection and 1.4% Po infection with no Pv infections detected. The highest household wealth quintile was strongly protective against infection with Pm (aOR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05-0.22) or Po (aOR= 0.01, 0.00-0.10). Overall Pm seroprevalence was 34.2% (95% CI: 33.3-35.2) with lower estimates for Po (12.1%, 11.6-12.5) and Pv (6.3%, 6.0-6.7). Pm seropositivity was detected throughout the country with several local government areas showing >50% seroprevalence. Serological and DNA indicators show widespread exposure of Nigerian children to Pm with lower rates to Po and Pv.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Malaria* / epidemiology
  • Malaria* / parasitology
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / parasitology
  • Malaria, Vivax* / parasitology
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics
  • Plasmodium*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G