Background: Patients with acute febrile illness need to be screened for malaria and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in malaria-endemic areas to reduce malaria mortality rates and to prevent the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Objectives: To estimate the frequency of children and adolescents with COVID-19 and/or malaria among febrile patients attending for malaria diagnosisMethod: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a sentinel site for malaria surveillance during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Omicron variant), from October 2021 to December 2021 in Gabon. All febrile patients were tested for malaria using microscopy. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid antigen tests developed by Sansure Biotech®.Results: A total of 135 patients were screened. Their median age was 6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–14) years. Malaria was confirmed for 49 (36.3%) patients, 29 (32.5%) children, 13 (59.0%) adolescents and 7 (29.2%) adults. The frequency of COVID-19 cases was 7.4% (n = 10/135), and it was comparable between children (n = 6; 6.7%), adolescents (n = 2; 9.1%) and adults (n = 2; 8.3%) (p = 0.17). Malaria and COVID-19 co-infections were diagnosed in 3 (6.1%) patients from all the age groups. Participants with a co-infection had a higher median temperature, a higher median parasitaemia, and were mostly infected with non-falciparum malaria.Conclusion: COVID-19 cases and cases of malaria/COVID-19 co-infections were found in febrile children and adolescents. SARS-CoV-2 testing should be included in the screening of suspected malaria cases.Contribution: This study highlights the presence of malaria-COVID-19 coinfection among children and adolescents who should also be screened for both diseases, like for adults.

Background The level of blood filariasis parasitaemia as well as the frequency of and the relationship between cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (CTX-P), antiretroviral therapy (ART) intake and CD4 cell count among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in rural areas of Gabon were being studied. Methods Sociodemographic data and recent biological tests of PLHIV and HIV-negative participants were collected. Loa loa and Mansonella perstans microfilaria were detected by direct microscopy examination and leucoconcentration. Results Overall, 209 HIV-positive and 148 HIV-negative subjects were enrolled. The overall prevalence of microfilaria was comparable between PLHIV (19.9% [n=41/206]) and HIV-negative participants (14.8% [n=22/148]) (p=0.2). The L. loa infection rate was comparable between HIV-positive (9.2%) and HIV-negative participants (6.8%) (p=0.2), while the M. perstans infection rate was 14-fold higher among PLHIV (p<0.01). L. loa parasitaemia was 6-fold lower in PLHIV receiving CTX-P (median 150 mf/mL [interquartile range {IQR} 125–350]) than in patients without (900 [550–2225]) (p<0.01). Among subjects with a CD4 cell count <200 cells/μL, the prevalence of M. perstans was 7-fold higher than that of L. loa (20.6% vs 2.9%). Conclusions This study suggests a similar exposure to L. loa infection of PLHIV and HIV-negative patients while M. perstans is more frequently found in HIV-positive individuals, notably those with a CD4 count <200 cells/μL.

Background: Chronic carriage of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can induce chronic inflammation and dysbiosis, which are risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between IPI carriage and inflammation in a population of volunteers living in Gabon. Methodology and Principal Findings: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to November 2021 in asymptomatic participants aged 18 years and over residing in different areas of Gabon: Libreville (urban area) and Koula-Moutou and Bitam (rural areas). The detection of IPIs was carried out using common techniques. Inflammation markers, C-reactive protein (CRP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assayed. Overall, 518 participants were included, 64.5% (n = 334) of whom resided in urban area and 35.5% (n = 184) in rural areas. The median age was 35 years [27; 46]. The prevalence of asymptomatic IPIs was 29.9% (n = 155), with a significantly higher frequency in rural areas than in urban area (adjusted OR 6.6 [CI 3.2-13.8], p < 0.01). Protozoa were more frequent than soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in both areas: 81.6% (n = 40) in urban area and 69.8% (n = 74) in rural areas. STHs were predominant in rural areas (48.1%) than in urban area (22.4%). High concentrations of hsCRP and CRP were significantly more frequent in inhabitants of rural areas (23.4% (n = 43) and 56.5% (n = 104), respectively (p < 0.01) than those of urban area (11.1% (n = 37) and 34.5% (n = 116), respectively; p<0.01). High levels were more frequent in parasitized individuals (for hsCRP, 22.6%, n = 35, p < 0.01, for CRP, 52.9%, n = 82; p < 0.01); in particular among STH carriers (for hsCRP; 65.9%, n = 27, p < 0.01, for CRP: 36.6%, n = 15; p < 0.01). Conclusions/Significance: This first study showed that asymptomatic IPIs, especially STHs, are associated with higher CRP and hsCRP levels. Others biomarkers of inflammation must be analyzed to confirm the relationship between asymptomatic IPIs and chronic inflammation.

Background The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa and represents a serious health issue. Specific and accurate data are required to implement prevention programs and healthcare strategies. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of CMRFs according to the level of urbanization, age and gender in Gabon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) stepwise approach for the surveillance of chronic disease risk factors. Participants over 18 years of age, without known underlying disease, from rural and urban areas of Gabon were included. Biological and behavioral data were collected using an adapted version of the standardized WHO survey questionnaire. Results The median age was 38[28-50] years. Tobacco consumption was more frequent in rural areas than in urban areas (26.1% vs 6.2%; p < 0.01). Men were more likely to be smokers than women, in both settings (aOR: 8.0[4.9-13.5], p < 0.01). Excessive alcohol consumption (19.4% vs 9.6%; p < 0.01) predominated in rural than in urban areas. Urban dwellers were less physically active than rural people (29.5% vs 16.3%; p < 0.01). In total, 79.9% of participants aged under 54 years had a high blood pressure (HBP) while 10.6% of the younger participants had pre-hypertension. Metabolic syndrome was higher in women (21.7% vs 10.0%; p < 0.01) than in men. Furthermore, 6.4% of men and 2.5% of women had a high risk of developing coronary heart diseases in the next 10 years (p = 0.03). Finally, 54.0% of the study population had three or four risk factors. Conclusion The prevalence rates of CMRFs were high in the study population. Disparities were observed according to urban and rural areas, gender and age groups. National prevention and healthcare strategies for cardiometabolic diseases in Gabon should take into account these observed differences.

Introduction: Intestinal parasites infections are endemic in Gabon. Nevertheless, they are rarely described in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Objective: The frequency of intestinal parasite infection was estimated and compared between HIV-positive and HIV un- infected individuals in Gabon; factors associated with intestinal parasites were also analysed. Material and Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design sociodemographic data, life style habits, antiretroviral therapy, cotrimoxazole use and CD4 cell count were recorded.. Stool samples from participants living in Koulamoutou and Oyem were analysed using microscopy. Chi-squared or fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression were performed. Results: Among participants (n=332), female gender was predominant (73.7%; n=135/183) and the median age was 45 [33-57] years old. Among 183 samples, 53.6% (n = 98/183) were infected by intestinal parasites. The proportion was higher (72.1%) in HIV negative participants compared to PLHIV (42.6%) (p <0.01). PLHIV were more frequently poly-infected. Infection was frequent in patients using external toilets and tap water (>70.0%). Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasites is higher in seronegative participants but polyparasitism is more frequent in PLHIV. Strategies are focused on HIV negative population, but this study shows the importance of sensitization for PLHIV to improve their quality of life. Keywords: Intestinal parasites; Human immunodeficiency virus; cotrimoxazole; CD4 cell; Gabon.