Abstract
BackgroundLike other tropical African countries, Gabon is afflicted by many parasitic diseases, including filariases such as loiasis and mansonellosis. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these two filarial diseases in febrile and afebrile children using quantitative real-time PCR and standard PCR assays coupled with sequencing.Methodology/Principal FindingsDNA from blood specimens of 1,418 Gabonese children (1,258 febrile and 160 afebrile) were analyzed. Overall, filarial DNA was detected in 95 (6.7%) children, including 67 positive for M. perstans (4.7%), which was the most common. M. perstans was detected in 61/1,258 febrile children (4.8%) and 6/160 afebrile children (3.8%, P = 0.6). Its prevalence increased statistically with age: 3.5%, 7.7% and 10.6% in children aged ≤5, 6–10 and 11–15 years, respectively. M. perstans prevalence was significantly higher in Koulamoutou and Lastourville (12% and 10.5%, respectively) than in Franceville and Fougamou (2.6% and 2.4%, respectively). Loa loa was detected in seven febrile children including one co-infection with M. perstans. Finally, 21 filarial DNA positive were negative for M. perstans and Loa loa, but ITS sequencing could be performed for 12 and allowed the identification of a potential new species of Mansonella provisionally called “DEUX”. Mansonella sp. “DEUX” was detected only in febrile children.Conclusions/SignificanceFurther study should be performed to characterize Mansonella sp. “DEUX” and evaluate the clinical significance of mansonellosis in humans.
Highlights
No study has evaluated its burden in febrile patients in Gabon, a tropical African country where febrile and parasitic illnesses are common
There, we developed molecular tools to detect M. perstans and other Mansonella spp., as well as Loa loa, another filarial nematode in blood specimens of febrile and afebrile Gabonese children
Our findings suggest that there is no direct link between M. perstans and fever among the local population (61/1,258 febrile children [4.8%] versus 6/160 afebrile children [3.8%]), whereas Loa loa and another potential new species Mansonella sp
Summary
Tropical African countries are afflicted by many febrile diseases including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and bacteremia; it has been suggested that their emergence can be influenced by infectious factors such as filarial parasites, including Mansonella perstans [1,2]. In 2012, Dolo et al, during assessment of the effects of filariasis on anemia and pro-inflammatory responses associated with clinical malaria in Mali, reported that the geometric mean of hemoglobin levels was significantly lower in 31 malaria patients without filariasis than in 31 with filariasis [3]. They added that these filariases, including M. perstans, significantly decrease plasma levels of Interleukin-1ra, Inducible Protein-10 and Interleukin-8 at the time of presentation with clinical malaria [3]. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these two filarial diseases in febrile and afebrile children using quantitative real-time PCR and standard PCR assays coupled with sequencing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
