Prevalence, probability, and characteristics of malaria and filariasis co-infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Issued Date
2022-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
19352727
eISSN
19352735
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85140417499
Pubmed ID
36269701
Journal Title
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume
16
Issue
10
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.16 No.10 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Wilairatana P., Kotepui K.U., Mala W., Wangdi K., Kotepui M. Prevalence, probability, and characteristics of malaria and filariasis co-infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol.16 No.10 (2022). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010857 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85468
Title
Prevalence, probability, and characteristics of malaria and filariasis co-infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background Malaria and filariasis are significant vector-borne diseases that are co-endemic in the same human populations. This study aims to collate the evidence, probability, and characteristics of malaria and filariasis co-infections in participants among studies reporting the co-occur-rence of both diseases. Methods We searched for potentially relevant articles reporting the co-occurrence of malaria and fila-riasis in five electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and CENTRAL) from inception to May 22, 2022. We estimated the pooled prevalence and probability of malaria and filariasis co-infections among study participants using random-effects meta-analyses and synthesized the characteristics of patients with co-infections narratively. Results We identified 951 articles, 24 of which (96,838 participants) met eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Results of the meta-analysis showed a pooled prevalence of malaria and filariasis co-infections among participants of 11%. The prevalence of co-infections was 2.3% in Africa, 0.2% in Asia, and 1.6% in South America. The pooled preva-lences of malaria and Wuchereria bancrofti, malaria and Loa loa, malaria and Mansonella perstans co-infections were 0.7%, 1.2%, and 1.0%, respectively. The meta-analysis results showed that the co-infections between two parasites occurred by probability (P = 0.001). Patients with co-infections were at increased risk of having an enlarged spleen, a lower rate of severe anemia, lower parasite density, and more asymptomatic clinical status. Patients with co-infections had decreased levels of C-X-C motif chemokine 5, tumor necrosis factor– α, interleukin-4, c4 complement, and interleukin-10. In addition, patients with co-infections had a lower interleukin-10/tumor necrosis factor–α ratio and higher interleukin-10/interleu-kin-6 ratio. Conclusion The present study showed that the prevalence of malaria and filariasis co-infections was low and varied between geographical areas in the selected articles. Co-infections tended to occur with a low probability. Further studies investigating the outcomes and characteristics of co-infections are needed.