Background:In recent years there have been reports of viral haemorrhagic fever(VHF)epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic.VHF and malaria have overlapping clinical presentations making diferential di...Background:In recent years there have been reports of viral haemorrhagic fever(VHF)epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic.VHF and malaria have overlapping clinical presentations making diferential diagno‑sis a challenge.The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected zoonotic VHFs and malaria co-infections among febrile patients seeking health care in Tanzania.Methods:This facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out between June and November 2018 in Buhigwe,Kalambo,Kyela,Kilindi,Kinondoni,Kondoa,Mvomero,and Ukerewe districts in Tanzania.The study involved febrile patients seeking health care from primary healthcare facilities.Blood samples were collected and tested for infections due to malaria,Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever(CCHF),Ebola virus disease(EVD),Marburg virus disease(MVD),Rift Valley fever(RVF)and yellow fever(YF).Malaria infections were tested using rapid diagnostics tests while exposure to VHFs was determined by screening for immunoglobulin M antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immuno‑sorbent assays.The Chi-square test was used to compare the proportions.Results:A total of 308 participants(mean age=35±19 years)were involved in the study.Of these,54(17.5%)had malaria infection and 15(4.8%)were positive for IgM antibodies against VHFs(RVF=8;CCHF=2;EBV=3;MBV=1;YF=1).Six(1.9%)individuals had both VHF(RVF=2;CCHF=1;EVD=2;MVD=1)and malaria infections.The highest co-infection prevalence(0.6%)was observed among individuals aged 46‒60 years(P<0.05).District was signifcantly associated with co-infection(P<0.05)with the highest prevalence recorded in Buhigwe(1.2%)followed by Kinondoni(0.9%)districts.Headache(100%)and muscle,bone,back and joint pains(83.3%)were the most signifcant complaints among those infected with both VHFs and malaria(P=0.001).Conclusions:Co-infections of VHF and malaria are prevalent in Tanzania and afect more the older than the younger population.Since the overlapping symptoms in co-infected individuals may challenge accurate diagnosis,adequate laboratory diagnosis should be emphasized in the management of febrile illnesses.展开更多
文摘Background:In recent years there have been reports of viral haemorrhagic fever(VHF)epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic.VHF and malaria have overlapping clinical presentations making diferential diagno‑sis a challenge.The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected zoonotic VHFs and malaria co-infections among febrile patients seeking health care in Tanzania.Methods:This facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out between June and November 2018 in Buhigwe,Kalambo,Kyela,Kilindi,Kinondoni,Kondoa,Mvomero,and Ukerewe districts in Tanzania.The study involved febrile patients seeking health care from primary healthcare facilities.Blood samples were collected and tested for infections due to malaria,Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever(CCHF),Ebola virus disease(EVD),Marburg virus disease(MVD),Rift Valley fever(RVF)and yellow fever(YF).Malaria infections were tested using rapid diagnostics tests while exposure to VHFs was determined by screening for immunoglobulin M antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immuno‑sorbent assays.The Chi-square test was used to compare the proportions.Results:A total of 308 participants(mean age=35±19 years)were involved in the study.Of these,54(17.5%)had malaria infection and 15(4.8%)were positive for IgM antibodies against VHFs(RVF=8;CCHF=2;EBV=3;MBV=1;YF=1).Six(1.9%)individuals had both VHF(RVF=2;CCHF=1;EVD=2;MVD=1)and malaria infections.The highest co-infection prevalence(0.6%)was observed among individuals aged 46‒60 years(P<0.05).District was signifcantly associated with co-infection(P<0.05)with the highest prevalence recorded in Buhigwe(1.2%)followed by Kinondoni(0.9%)districts.Headache(100%)and muscle,bone,back and joint pains(83.3%)were the most signifcant complaints among those infected with both VHFs and malaria(P=0.001).Conclusions:Co-infections of VHF and malaria are prevalent in Tanzania and afect more the older than the younger population.Since the overlapping symptoms in co-infected individuals may challenge accurate diagnosis,adequate laboratory diagnosis should be emphasized in the management of febrile illnesses.
