Host Immunity, Plasmodium and Pathogens Co-Infections

Launched by INSTITUT PASTEUR · Jan 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how malaria, particularly caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, interacts with bacterial infections in young children. Researchers want to better understand how often these co-infections occur and how they impact children's health, especially since previous studies may have missed important details. The goal is to improve treatment for children with malaria who might also have bacterial infections, which can be hard to tell apart. By identifying the factors that contribute to these co-infections, doctors can provide more targeted and effective care, while also addressing concerns about antibiotic resistance.

To participate in the study, children aged 6 to 60 months who have a fever lasting less than 7 days or who are not currently sick but meet certain health criteria may be eligible. Pregnant women giving birth at a partner health center and healthy newborns are also included. Participants will provide a blood sample for testing and may receive helpful health information during the study. Overall, this research aims to enhance our understanding of how malaria and bacterial infections affect young children, ultimately leading to better treatments and improved health outcomes.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Febrile children:
• • aged between 6 and 60 months
• • with a febrile episode lasting less than 7 days (axillary temperature \>=37.5° Celsius)
• • whose state of health is compatible with a minimum single blood sample volume of 6.25 ml
• Non-febrile children:
• • aged between 6 and 60 months
• • with axillary temperature \<37.5° Celsius
• • no clinical signs of infection at the time of inclusion
• • no infectious episode or fever for 7 days
• Pregnant women :
• • giving birth in the project's partner health center
• • intending to reside in the study area during the newborn follow-up period
• • with a mono-fetal pregnancy
• • With an apparently uncomplicated delivery not requiring referral to a higher-level health facility
• Newborns at delivery:
• • Born at term (determined by Ballard score)
• • whose parents or legal guardians reside in the study area during the newborn's follow-up period
• Exclusion Criteria:
• For all :
• • - person already participating in another biomedical research project.
• For febrile and non-febrile children:
• • - chronic non-infectious pathology (cancer, malnutrition, etc.)
• • For pregnant women
• • scheduled caesarean section for current pregnancy
• • Caesarean section in previous pregnancies
• • chronic non-infectious pathology during pregnancy (diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia)