Epidemiology of Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale spp. in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42190-w
• Publication Date: 2023-10-19T14:02:20Z
• Authors: Rachel Sendor; Kristin Banek; Melchior M. Kasha...; Nono Mvuama; Joseph A. Bala; Marthe Nkalani; Georges Kihuma; Joseph Atibu; Kyaw L. Thwai; W. Matthew Svec; Varun Goel; Tommy Nseka; Jessica T. Lin; Jeffrey A. Bailey; Michael Emch; Margaret Carrel; Jonathan J. Juliano; Antoinette Tshefu; Jonathan B. Parr
• Keywords: Plasmodium ovale; Plasmodium malariae

Abstract Reports suggest non-falciparum species are an underappreciated cause of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa but their epidemiology is ill-defined, particularly highly malaria-endemic regions. We estimated incidence and prevalence PCR-confirmed Plasmodium falciparum infections within a longitudinal study conducted Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) between 2015-2017. Children adults were sampled at biannual household surveys routine clinic visits. Among 9,089 samples from 1,565 participants, incidences P. malariae, ovale spp., by 1-year 7.8% (95% CI: 6.4%-9.1%), 4.8% 3.7%-5.9%) 57.5% 54.4%-60.5%), respectively. Non-falciparum prevalences higher school-age children, rural peri-urban sites, co-infections. remains the primary driver DRC, though also pose infection risk. As interventions gain traction high-burden settings, continued surveillance improved understanding warranted.