Epidemiology of parasitic co-infections during pregnancy in Lambarene, Gabon

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the epidemiologic data of parasitic infections and co-infections in pregnant women in Lambarene, Gabon. METHODS In Lambarene, 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.