Comment on: Severe malaria attack is associated with high prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection among children in rural Senegal

Abstract

In their study on the association between severe malaria and Ascaris lumbricoides Le Hesran et al. (2004) reach conclusions that are different from those reached in our studies in Thailand. There are several differences between the two studies that may explain this. Theirs was field-based took place in a very different transmission setting and involved children whereas our studies on severe malaria were hospital-based and involved adults. However Murray et al. (1977) although they did not directly assess severity found that malaria was suppressed in Ascaris-infected and malnourished children in Anjouan (Comoros islands). Therefore methodological differences could explain the conflicting results between studies in Senegal Thailand and the Comoros islands. (excerpt)