Ajayi, K. O., Omoya, F. O., Oladunmoye, M. K. and Oladejo, B. O.
Abstract
Patients with severe malaria are at increased risk of developing concomitant bacterial sepsis. Bacteremia and malaria co-infection have a higher case fatality compared to those with malaria infection only. The existence of concomitant bacterial infections can further complicate the manifestation of malaria and increase the morbidity and mortality. Therefore this study was carried out to determine the relationship between bacteremia concomitant among malaria patients in Ondo State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted among febrile patients in selected government Hospitals in Ondo State. One milliliter of blood of patients confirmed to be malaria positive with microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films and RDT kit was cultured for enumeration of bacterial concomitant. All data obtained were statistically analyzed using Chi-square and correlation test with a 𝑃 value <0.05 considered significant. The study showed 19.95% (85/426) concomitant bacteria prevalence and a significant (P= <0.001, r = 0.00334) positive correlation between malaria and concomitant bacteria, also there was significant (p = 0.072, df= 18, χ2 = 27.389) association between age and concomitant bacteria while the mean bacterial counts was 9.71±1.481 cfu/ml x 107. Also, level of education, marital status and tribe contributed significantly (p<0.05) to the prevalence of concomitant bacteria. In conclusion, the results show that there is a significant association between bacteremia and malaria in the study area and malaria could predispose to bacteremia, however, the ability of the bacteria to invade and survive in the blood is due to several factors.
Key words: febrile patients, malaria, bacteremia concomitant, prevalence