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Mukala J, Mogere D, Kirira P, Kanoi BN, Akisa V, Kobia F, Waweru H, Gitaka J. Predictors of birth weight in pregnant women with malaria: a prospective cohort facility-based study in Webuye-Kenya. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:187. [PMID: 38459499 PMCID: PMC10921604 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06355-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria, which remains a major public health burden, has a prevalence of 9 to 28% and malaria in pregnancy is associated with severe adverse outcomes for the mother and her baby. Here, we sought to determine the predictors of birth weight in a cohort of 140 women with malaria in pregnancy, who were recruited at the Webuye County hospital in Western Kenya. All study participants underwent malaria diagnosis through microscopic examination of blood smear samples and were grouped into the malaria-positive and malaria-negative groups. Both groups were followed up beginning at the first antenatal visit (March 2022) until delivery (December 2022) and various data, including demographic, parity, gravidity, socioeconomic, maternal and fetal outcomes were collected. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 27. Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used for bivariate and relative risk analyses at a p-value of ≤0.05 (95%) confidence level. Most of the participants were aged 18-25 years, were primigravidas and married, had secondary school-level education, earned 20-30 thousand Kenya shillings, resided in rural areas, and were in the second trimester. There were 6 (4.6%) cases of low birth weight, 3 (4.5%) in the malaria-negative group and 3 (4.7%) in the malaria-positive group. During pregnancy, 41 (31.5%) were anaemic, 5 (3.8%) were HIV-positive, 5 (3.8%) had preeclampsia, and 2 (1.5%) had gestational diabetes. Our analyses show that confounding factors like anaemia, HIV, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes did not influence birthweight (p ≥ 0.923). The malaria-positive and malaria-negative groups did not differ significantly with regard to the low birth weight (relative risk: 0.999, 95% confidence interval: 0.926-1.077). Marital status, gestational age, and area of residence were associated with malaria p ≤ 0.001, ≤ 0.001 and 0.028 respectively. In both groups, 124 of the 140 deliveries had normal birth weights and of these 63 (95.4%, n = 70) were in the malaria-negative group, whereas 61 (95.3%, n = 70) belonged to the malaria-positive group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Mukala
- School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya.
| | - Dominic Mogere
- School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Peter Kirira
- School of Applied Sciences, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | | | - Francis Kobia
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Harrison Waweru
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Jesse Gitaka
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
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Rent S, Bauserman M, Laktabai J, Tshefu AK, Taylor SM. Malaria in Pregnancy: Key Points for the Neonatologist. Neoreviews 2023; 24:e539-e552. [PMID: 37653081 DOI: 10.1542/neo.24-9-e539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In malaria-endemic regions, infection with the malaria parasite Plasmodium during pregnancy has been identified as a key modifiable factor in preterm birth, the delivery of low-birthweight infants, and stillbirth. Compared with their nonpregnant peers, pregnant persons are at higher risk for malaria infection. Malaria infection can occur at any time during pregnancy, with negative effects for the pregnant person and the fetus, depending on the trimester in which the infection is contracted. Pregnant patients who are younger, in their first or second pregnancy, and those coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus are at increased risk for malaria. Common infection prevention measures during pregnancy include the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and the use of intermittent preventive treatment with monthly doses of antimalarials, beginning in the second trimester in pregnant patients in endemic areas. In all trimesters, artemisinin-combination therapies are the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, similar to treatment in nonpregnant adults. The World Health Organization recently revised its recommendations, now listing the specific medication artemether-lumefantrine as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in the first trimester. While strong prevention and detection methods exist, use of these techniques remains below global targets. Ongoing work on approaches to treatment and prevention of malaria during pregnancy remains at the forefront of global maternal child health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharla Rent
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | | | | | - Antoinette K Tshefu
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Steve M Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
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Mondeilh A, Yovo E, Accrombessi M, Hounkonnou C, Agbota G, Atade W, Ladikpo OT, Mehoba M, Degbe A, Vianou B, Sossou D, Ndam NT, Massougbodji A, McGready R, Fievet N, Rijken MJ, Cottrell G, Briand V. Malaria Infections and Placental Blood Flow: A Doppler Ultrasound Study From a Preconception Cohort in Benin. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad376. [PMID: 37577115 PMCID: PMC10414806 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) has been associated with fetal growth restriction, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. Malaria in pregnancy is suspected to induce abnormalities in placental vascularization, leading to impaired placental development. Our study evaluated MIP's effect on uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA) blood flow. Methods The analysis included 253 Beninese women followed throughout pregnancy and screened monthly for submicroscopic and microscopic malaria. Uterine artery Doppler measurement was performed once between 21 and 25 weeks' gestation (wg), and UA Doppler measurement was performed 1-3 times from 28 wg. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of malaria infections on UtA Doppler indicators (pulsatility index and presence of a notch), whereas a logistic mixed model was used to assess the association between malaria infections and abnormal UA Doppler (defined as Z-score ≥2 standard deviation or absent/reversed UA end-diastolic flow). Results Primigravidae represented 7.5% of the study population; 42.3% of women had at least 1 microscopic infection during pregnancy, and 29.6% had at least 1 submicroscopic infection (and no microscopic infection). Both microscopic and submicroscopic infections before Doppler measurement were associated with the presence of a notch (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-16.3 and aOR 3.3, 95% CI = .9-11.9, respectively). No associations were found between malaria before the Doppler measurement and abnormal UA Doppler. Conclusions Malaria infections in the first half of pregnancy impair placental blood flow. This highlights the need to prevent malaria from the very beginning of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Mondeilh
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Centre, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Emmanuel Yovo
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-food Systems (MoISA), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondon, United Kingdom
| | - Cornelia Hounkonnou
- Centre d'investigation clinique, module épidémiologie clinique (CIC-EC 1425), Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Paris, France
- Département d’Épidémiologie, Biostatistique et Recherche Clinique, AP-HP, Hôpital BichatParis, France
| | - Gino Agbota
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - William Atade
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | | | - Murielle Mehoba
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Auguste Degbe
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Bertin Vianou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Dariou Sossou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Nicaise Tuikue Ndam
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nadine Fievet
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marcus J Rijken
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gilles Cottrell
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), UMR 261 MERIT, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Briand
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Centre, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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Jaén-Sánchez N, González-Azpeitia G, Carranza-Rodriguez C, Manwere N, Garay-Sánchez P, Vallejo-Torres L, Pérez-Arellano JL. Increased peripartum mortality associated with maternal subclinical malaria in Mozambique. Malar J 2023; 22:182. [PMID: 37309000 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04613-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa is often asymptomatic. As these forms of malaria are often submicroscopic and difficult to diagnose by conventional methods (microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic test), diagnosis requires the use of molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This study analyses the prevalence of subclinical malaria and its association with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, a topic that has been scarcely evaluated in the literature. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-nested multiplex PCR to assess the presence of P. falciparum in placental and peripheral blood of 232 parturient pregnant women at the Hospital Provincial de Tete, Mozambique between March 2017 and May 2019. Multivariate regressions were performed to assess the associations of maternal subclinical malaria with several maternal and neonatal outcomes after controlling for the presence of preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) and HIV infection, as well as for other maternal and pregnancy characteristics. RESULTS In total, 17.2% (n = 40) of the women studied had positive PCR for P. falciparum (7 in placental blood only, 3 in peripheral blood only). We found a significant association between subclinical malaria and a higher peripartum mortality risk, which persisted after controlling for maternal comorbidity and maternal and pregnancy characteristics (adjusted odds ratio: 3.50 [1.11-10.97]). In addition, PE/E and HIV infections were also significantly associated with several adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the association of subclinical malaria, as well as of PE/E and HIV, in pregnant women with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore, molecular methods may be sensitive tools to identify asymptomatic infections that can reduce the impact on peripartum mortality and their contribution to sustained transmission of the parasite in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Jaén-Sánchez
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Gloria González-Azpeitia
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Pediatric Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Cristina Carranza-Rodriguez
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Nicholas Manwere
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Zambeze, Beira, Mozambique
| | | | - Laura Vallejo-Torres
- Department of Quantitative Methods in Economics and Management, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José-Luis Pérez-Arellano
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Saito M, McGready R, Tinto H, Rouamba T, Mosha D, Rulisa S, Kariuki S, Desai M, Manyando C, Njunju EM, Sevene E, Vala A, Augusto O, Clerk C, Were E, Mrema S, Kisinza W, Byamugisha J, Kagawa M, Singlovic J, Yore M, van Eijk AM, Mehta U, Stergachis A, Hill J, Stepniewska K, Gomes M, Guérin PJ, Nosten F, Ter Kuile FO, Dellicour S. Pregnancy outcomes after first-trimester treatment with artemisinin derivatives versus non-artemisinin antimalarials: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet 2023; 401:118-130. [PMID: 36442488 PMCID: PMC9874756 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are a highly effective, first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, except in the first trimester of pregnancy, when quinine with clindamycin is recommended due to concerns about the potential embryotoxicity of artemisinins. We compared adverse pregnancy outcomes after artemisinin-based treatment (ABT) versus non-ABTs in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS For this systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Malaria in Pregnancy Library for prospective cohort studies published between Nov 1, 2015, and Dec 21, 2021, containing data on outcomes of pregnancies exposed to ABT and non-ABT in the first trimester. The results of this search were added to those of a previous systematic review that included publications published up until November, 2015. We included pregnancies enrolled before the pregnancy outcome was known. We excluded pregnancies with missing estimated gestational age or exposure information, multiple gestation pregnancies, and if the fetus was confirmed to be unviable before antimalarial treatment. The primary endpoint was adverse pregnancy outcome, defined as a composite of either miscarriage, stillbirth, or major congenital anomalies. A one-stage IPD meta-analysis was done by use of shared-frailty Cox models. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42015032371. FINDINGS We identified seven eligible studies that included 12 cohorts. All 12 cohorts contributed IPD, including 34 178 pregnancies, 737 with confirmed first-trimester exposure to ABTs and 1076 with confirmed first-trimester exposure to non-ABTs. Adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in 42 (5·7%) of 736 ABT-exposed pregnancies compared with 96 (8·9%) of 1074 non-ABT-exposed pregnancies in the first trimester (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0·71, 95% CI 0·49-1·03). Similar results were seen for the individual components of miscarriage (aHR=0·74, 0·47-1·17), stillbirth (aHR=0·71, 0·32-1·57), and major congenital anomalies (aHR=0·60, 0·13-2·87). The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes was lower with artemether-lumefantrine than with oral quinine in the first trimester of pregnancy (25 [4·8%] of 524 vs 84 [9·2%] of 915; aHR 0·58, 0·36-0·92). INTERPRETATION We found no evidence of embryotoxicity or teratogenicity based on the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or major congenital anomalies associated with ABT during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given that treatment with artemether-lumefantrine was associated with fewer adverse pregnancy outcomes than quinine, and because of the known superior tolerability and antimalarial effectiveness of ACTs, artemether-lumefantrine should be considered the preferred treatment for uncomplicated P falciparum malaria in the first trimester. If artemether-lumefantrine is unavailable, other ACTs (except artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) should be preferred to quinine. Continued active pharmacovigilance is warranted. FUNDING Medicines for Malaria Venture, WHO, and the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Saito
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rose McGready
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Stephen Rulisa
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Simon Kariuki
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Meghna Desai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Eric M Njunju
- Department of Basic Sciences, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Esperanca Sevene
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Anifa Vala
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Orvalho Augusto
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | | | - Edwin Were
- Department of Reproductive Health, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | | | - William Kisinza
- National Institute of Medical Research, Amani Medical Research Centre, Muheza, Tanzania
| | - Josaphat Byamugisha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mike Kagawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Mackensie Yore
- VA Los Angeles and University of California, Los Angeles National Clinician Scholars Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Health Services Research and Development Service Center of Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ushma Mehta
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, and Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jenny Hill
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kasia Stepniewska
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Melba Gomes
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Philippe J Guérin
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Francois Nosten
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Feiko O Ter Kuile
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network, Oxford, UK; Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Oxford, UK; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephanie Dellicour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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Ebong CE, Ali IM, Fouedjio HJ, Essangui E, Achu DF, Lawrence A, Sama D. Diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy: accuracy of CareStart™ malaria Pf/PAN against light microscopy among symptomatic pregnant women at the Central Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Malar J 2022; 21:78. [PMID: 35264170 PMCID: PMC8905860 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The need to start treatment early for pregnant women who present with clinical features of malaria usually conflicts with the need to confirm diagnosis by microscopy (MP) before treatment, due to delays in obtaining results. Parasite sequestration in the placenta is also a problem. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), which detect soluble antigens, are a valuable alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate pretreatment parasite prevalence by microscopy and by RDT and to assess the accuracy of RDT with MP as reference. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the obstetrical unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé, during the period January-August 2015. Consenting patients with symptoms of suspected malaria in pregnancy were recruited and a blood sample taken for MP and RDT before treatment was started. The estimates of diagnostic performance (with 95% confidence interval) were calculated in OpenEpi online software using the Wilson’s score. The agreement, as reflected by the Cohen’s kappa, was calculated and interpreted using known intervals. Results The results showed that, out of the 104 patients recruited, 69.2% (95%CI: 59.1–77.5) were MP positive while 77.94% (95%CI: 63.1–80.9) were RDT positive. The sensitivity of the malaria RDT was 91.67% (95%CI: 83.69–96.77) while the specificity was 53.13% (95%CI: 31.39–65.57). The diagnostic accuracy of the RDT with MP as reference was 79.81% (95%CI: 70.0–86.1). All cases were due to Plasmodium falciparum. A Cohen’s kappa of 0.45 (95%CI: 0.26–0.64) was obtained, consistent with a moderate agreement between the tests. Conclusions The diagnostic accuracy of the CareStart™ malaria Pf/PAN compared to microscopy was high, but not as desirable, with a false negative RDT at very high parasitaemia. In tertiary facilities, RDTs appear to provide a better diagnostic solution compared to microscopy. However, future studies with larger sample sizes should make this observation more generalizable; as missing a case could have serious consequences on pregnancy outcome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04109-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliford Ebontane Ebong
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Innocent Mbulli Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Hortence Jeanne Fouedjio
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Dorothy Fosah Achu
- Ministry of Public Health, National Malaria Control Programme, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Ayong Lawrence
- Malaria Unit, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Dohbit Sama
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Gyneco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Infect Dis 2022; 225:1777-1785. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Ochwedo KO, Omondi CJ, Magomere EO, Olumeh JO, Debrah I, Onyango SA, Orondo PW, Ondeto BM, Atieli HE, Ogolla SO, Githure J, Otieno ACA, Githeko AK, Kazura JW, Mukabana WR, Guiyan Y. Hyper-prevalence of submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections in a rural area of western Kenya with declining malaria cases. Malar J 2021; 20:472. [PMID: 34930283 PMCID: PMC8685826 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-04012-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gold standard for diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum infection is microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears. The effectiveness of this procedure for infection surveillance and malaria control may be limited by a relatively high parasitaemia detection threshold. Persons with microscopically undetectable infections may go untreated, contributing to ongoing transmission to mosquito vectors. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and determinants of undiagnosed submicroscopic P. falciparum infections in a rural area of western Kenya. METHODS A health facility-based survey was conducted, and 367 patients seeking treatment for symptoms consistent with uncomplicated malaria in Homa Bay County were enrolled. The frequency of submicroscopic P. falciparum infection was measured by comparing the prevalence of infection based on light microscopic inspection of thick blood smears versus real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting P. falciparum 18S rRNA gene. Long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) use, participation in nocturnal outdoor activities, and gender were considered as potential determinants of submicroscopic infections. RESULTS Microscopic inspection of blood smears was positive for asexual P. falciparum parasites in 14.7% (54/367) of cases. All of these samples were confirmed by RT-PCR. 35.8% (112/313) of blood smear negative cases were positive by RT-PCR, i.e., submicroscopic infection, resulting in an overall prevalence by RT-PCR alone of 45.2% compared to 14.7% for blood smear alone. Females had a higher prevalence of submicroscopic infections (35.6% or 72 out of 202 individuals, 95% CI 28.9-42.3) compared to males (24.2%, 40 of 165 individuals, 95% CI 17.6-30.8). The risk of submicroscopic infections in LLIN users was about half that of non-LLIN users (OR = 0.59). There was no difference in the prevalence of submicroscopic infections of study participants who were active in nocturnal outdoor activities versus those who were not active (OR = 0.91). Patients who participated in nocturnal outdoor activities and use LLINs while indoors had a slightly higher risk of submicroscopic infection than those who did not use LLINs (OR = 1.48). CONCLUSION Microscopic inspection of blood smears from persons with malaria symptoms for asexual stage P. falciparum should be supplemented by more sensitive diagnostic tests in order to reduce ongoing transmission of P. falciparum parasites to local mosquito vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O. Ochwedo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Collince J. Omondi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Edwin O. Magomere
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
| | - Julius O. Olumeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Isaiah Debrah
- West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogen, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Shirley A. Onyango
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Pauline W. Orondo
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Benyl M. Ondeto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Harrysone E. Atieli
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Sidney O. Ogolla
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - John Githure
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Antony C. A. Otieno
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Andrew K. Githeko
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - James W. Kazura
- Centre for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Wolfgang R. Mukabana
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Yan Guiyan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, USA
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9
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Heusler M, Einenkel R, Ehrhardt J, Muzzio DO, Zygmunt M. Low Abundance Fusobacterium Nucleatum Supports Early Pregnancy Development - An In Vitro Study. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698045. [PMID: 34531854 PMCID: PMC8438310 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy success depends greatly on a balanced immune homeostasis. The detection of bacterial components in the upper reproductive tract in non-pregnant and pregnant women raised questions on its possible beneficial role in reproductive health. The local conditions that allow the presence of bacteria to harmonize with the establishment of pregnancy are still unknown. Among the described bacterial species in endometrial and placental samples, Fusobacterium nucleatum was found. It has been observed that F. nucleatum can induce tumorigenesis in colon carcinoma, a process that shares several features with embryo implantation. We propose that low concentrations of F. nucleatum may improve trophoblast function without exerting destructive responses. Inactivated F. nucleatum and E. coli were incubated with the trophoblastic cell lines HTR8/SVneo, BeWo, and JEG-3. Viability, proliferation, migratory capacity, invasiveness and the secretion of chemokines, other cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases were assessed. The presence of F. nucleatum significantly induced HTR8/SVneo invasion, accompanied by the secretion of soluble mediators (CXCL1, IL-6 and IL-8) and metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). However, as concentrations of F. nucleatum increased, these did not improve invasiveness, hindered migration, reduced cell viability and induced alterations in the cell cycle. Part of the F. nucleatum effects on cytokine release were reverted with the addition of a TLR4 blocking antibody. Other effects correlated with the level of expression of E-cadherin on the different cell lines tested. Low amounts of F. nucleatum promote invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells and induce the secretion of important mediators for pregnancy establishment. Some effects were independent of LPS and correlated with the expression of E-cadherin on trophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Heusler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rebekka Einenkel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens Ehrhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Damián Oscar Muzzio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marek Zygmunt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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10
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Jafari-Guemouri S, Courtois L, Mama A, Rouas B, Neto Braga G, Accrombessi M, Massougbodji A, Ding XC, Tuikue Ndam N, Fievet N, Briand V. A Genotyping Study in Benin Comparing the Carriage of Plasmodium falciparum Infections Before Pregnancy and in Early Pregnancy: Story of a Persistent Infection. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:e355-e361. [PMID: 32569359 PMCID: PMC8282262 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria infections in the first trimester of pregnancy are frequent and deleterious for both mother and child health. To investigate if these early infections are newly acquired or already present in the host, we assessed whether parasites detected before pregnancy and those detected in early pregnancy are the same infection. Methods We used data from the preconceptional “RECIPAL” study (Benin, 2014–2017). Sixty-three pregnant women of 411 included who had a malaria infection detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction both before pregnancy and at the first antenatal care (ANC) visit were selected for this study. Two highly polymorphic markers, msp-2 and glurp, and a fragment-analysis method were used to enumerate the Plasmodium falciparum genotypes and to quantify their proportions within isolates. An infection was considered as persistent when identical msp-2 and glurp genotypes were found in the corresponding prepregnancy and early-pregnancy samples. Results The median time between the 2 malaria screenings was 3 months. The median gestational age at the first ANC visit was 6.4 weeks. Most infections before pregnancy were submicroscopic infections. Based on both msp-2 and glurp genotyping, the infection was similar before and in early pregnancy in 46% (29/63) of cases. Conclusions Almost half of P. falciparum infections detected in the first trimester originate before pregnancy. Protecting young women from malaria infection before pregnancy might reduce the prevalence of malaria in early pregnancy and its related poor maternal and birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayeh Jafari-Guemouri
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Laura Courtois
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Atika Mama
- Clinical Research Institute of Benin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Baptiste Rouas
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Neto Braga
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Clinical Research Institute of Benin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nicaise Tuikue Ndam
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Nadine Fievet
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Briand
- Université de Paris, UMR261-MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France.,University of Bordeaux, Inserm, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Inserm, University of Bordeaux, UMR, Bordeaux, France
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11
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Chua CLL, Hasang W, Rogerson SJ, Teo A. Poor Birth Outcomes in Malaria in Pregnancy: Recent Insights Into Mechanisms and Prevention Approaches. Front Immunol 2021; 12:621382. [PMID: 33790894 PMCID: PMC8005559 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.621382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions are susceptible to malaria in pregnancy, which has adverse consequences on birth outcomes, including having small for gestational age and preterm babies. These babies are likely to have low birthweights, which predisposes to infant mortality and lifelong morbidities. During malaria in pregnancy, Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes express a unique variant surface antigen, VAR2CSA, that mediates sequestration in the placenta. This process may initiate a range of host responses that contribute to placental inflammation and dysregulated placental development, which affects placental vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and nutrient transport. Collectively, these result in the impairment of placental functions, affecting fetal development. In this review, we provide an overview of malaria in pregnancy and the different pathological pathways leading to malaria in pregnancy-associated low birthweight. We also discuss current prevention and management strategies for malaria in pregnancy, and some potential therapeutic interventions that may improve birth outcomes. Lastly, we outline some priorities for future research that could bring us one step closer to reducing this health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wina Hasang
- Department of Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen J Rogerson
- Department of Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Teo
- Department of Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Gamain B, Chêne A, Viebig NK, Tuikue Ndam N, Nielsen MA. Progress and Insights Toward an Effective Placental Malaria Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:634508. [PMID: 33717176 PMCID: PMC7947914 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In areas where Plasmodium falciparum transmission is endemic, clinical immunity against malaria is progressively acquired during childhood and adults are usually protected against the severe clinical consequences of the disease. Nevertheless, pregnant women, notably during their first pregnancies, are susceptible to placental malaria and the associated serious clinical outcomes. Placental malaria is characterized by the massive accumulation of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes and monocytes in the placental intervillous spaces leading to maternal anaemia, hypertension, stillbirth and low birth weight due to premature delivery, and foetal growth retardation. Remarkably, the prevalence of placental malaria sharply decreases with successive pregnancies. This protection is associated with the development of antibodies directed towards the surface of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes from placental origin. Placental sequestration is mediated by the interaction between VAR2CSA, a member of the P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 family expressed on the infected erythrocytes surface, and the placental receptor chondroitin sulfate A. VAR2CSA stands today as the leading candidate for a placental malaria vaccine. We recently reported the safety and immunogenicity of two VAR2CSA-derived placental malaria vaccines (PRIMVAC and PAMVAC), spanning the chondroitin sulfate A-binding region of VAR2CSA, in both malaria-naïve and P. falciparum-exposed non-pregnant women in two distinct Phase I clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02658253 and NCT02647489). This review discusses recent advances in placental malaria vaccine development, with a focus on the recent clinical data, and discusses the next clinical steps to undertake in order to better comprehend vaccine-induced immunity and accelerate vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Gamain
- Université de Paris, Inserm, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Chêne
- Université de Paris, Inserm, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Nicola K Viebig
- European Vaccine Initiative, UniversitätsKlinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Hounkonnou CPA, Ndam NT, Fievet N, Accrombessi M, Yovo E, Mama A, Sossou D, Vianou B, Massougbodji A, Briand V, Cot M, Cottrell G. Sub-optimal Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) is associated with an increased risk of submicroscopic P. falciparum infection in pregnant women: a prospective cohort study in Benin. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e3759-e3767. [PMID: 32901806 PMCID: PMC8662796 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Harmful maternal and neonatal health outcomes result from malaria in pregnancy, the prevention of which primarily relies on intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). The World Health Organization recommends IPTp-SP in sub-Saharan Africa, but implementation is highly heterogeneous and often suboptimal in terms of the number of doses and their timing. In this study, we assessed the impact of this heterogeneity on malaria in pregnancy, mainly with respect to submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections. Methods We used data from 273 Beninese women followed throughout pregnancy. Screening for P. falciparum infections, using both microscopy-based and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based methods, was performed monthly, and information on IPTp-SP doses was collected. Gestational age was estimated by repeated ultrasound scans. Using a negative binomial model, we investigated the effect of IPTp-SP doses and timing after 17 weeks of gestation on the number of P. falciparum infections, focusing on submicroscopic infections detectable only by PCR. Results At least 2 IPTp-SP doses were taken by 77.3% of the women. The median gestational age at the first IPTp-SP dose was 22 weeks. A late first IPTp-SP dose (>21.2 weeks) was marginally associated with an increased number of P. falciparum infections (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 1.3; P = .098). The number of IPTp-SP doses was not associated with the number of submicroscopic infections (aIRR = 1.2, P = .543). Conclusions A late first IPTp-SP dose failed to provide optimal protection against P. falciparum, especially submicroscopic infections. This highlights the need for a new antimalarial drug for IPTp that could be taken early in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornélia P A Hounkonnou
- Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Université Pierre et Marie-Curie, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Yovo
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | - Atikatou Mama
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | - Darius Sossou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | - Bertin Vianou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
| | | | - Valérie Briand
- IRD, Inserm, Université de Bordeaux, IDLIC team, UMR, Bordeaux, France
| | - Michel Cot
- Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, Paris, France
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14
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Briand V, Cottrell G, Tuike Ndam N, Martiáñez-Vendrell X, Vianou B, Mama A, Kouwaye B, Houzé S, Bailly J, Gbaguidi E, Sossou D, Massougbodji A, Accrombessi M, Mayor A, Ding XC, Fievet N. Prevalence and clinical impact of malaria infections detected with a highly sensitive HRP2 rapid diagnostic test in Beninese pregnant women. Malar J 2020; 19:188. [PMID: 32448310 PMCID: PMC7247134 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03261-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While sub-microscopic malarial infections are frequent and potentially deleterious during pregnancy, routine molecular detection is still not feasible. This study aimed to assess the performance of a Histidine Rich Protein 2 (HRP2)-based ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (uRDT, Alere Malaria Ag Pf) for the detection of infections of low parasite density in pregnant women. Methods This was a retrospective study based on samples collected in Benin from 2014 to 2017. A total of 942 whole blood samples collected in 327 women in the 1st and 3rd trimesters and at delivery were tested by uRDT, conventional RDT (cRDT, SD BIOLINE Malaria Ag Pf), microscopy, quantitative polymerase chain-reaction (qPCR) and Luminex-based suspension array technology targeting P. falciparum HRP2. The performance of each RDT was evaluated using qPCR as reference standard. The association between infections detected by uRDT, but not by cRDT, with poor maternal and birth outcomes was assessed using multivariate regression models. Results The overall positivity rate detected by cRDT, uRDT, and qPCR was 11.6% (109/942), 16.2% (153/942) and 18.3% (172/942), respectively. Out of 172 qPCR-positive samples, 68 were uRDT-negative. uRDT had a significantly better sensitivity (60.5% [52.7–67.8]) than cRDT (44.2% [36.6–51.9]) and a marginally decreased specificity (93.6% [91.7–95.3] versus 95.7% [94.0–97.0]). The gain in sensitivity was particularly high (33%) and statistically significant in the 1st trimester. Only 28 (41%) out of the 68 samples which were qPCR-positive, but uRDT-negative had detectable but very low levels of HRP2 (191 ng/mL). Infections that were detected by uRDT but not by cRDT were associated with a 3.4-times (95%CI 1.29–9.19) increased risk of anaemia during pregnancy. Conclusions This study demonstrates the higher performance of uRDT, as compared to cRDTs, to detect low parasite density P. falciparum infections during pregnancy, particularly in the 1st trimester. uRDT allowed the detection of infections associated with maternal anaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Briand
- Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD), University of Bordeaux, Inserm, UMR 1219, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, 33076, Bordeaux Cedex, France. .,Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, 75006, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | | - Bertin Vianou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Cotonou, Benin
| | - Atika Mama
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Sandrine Houzé
- Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, 75006, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Centre National de Référence sur le paludisme, hôpital Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75017, Paris, France
| | - Justine Bailly
- AP-HP, Centre National de Référence sur le paludisme, hôpital Bichat-Claude-Bernard, 75017, Paris, France
| | - Erasme Gbaguidi
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Cotonou, Benin
| | - Darius Sossou
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Cotonou, Benin.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | | | - Nadine Fievet
- Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, 75006, Paris, France
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