Professor Mbulli Ali Innocent and his research team at the University of Dschang have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges long-standing assumptions about malaria in Cameroon.
Presented at a workshop at Hôtel ADYS recently, their study revealed the presence of Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, and two subtypes of P. ovale, in addition to the dominant P. falciparum. These findings suggest that the country’s malaria landscape is far more complex than previously believed, raising concerns about diagnosis, treatment, and control strategies. For years, malaria prevention and treatment efforts in Cameroon have been centered on P. falciparum, the most virulent species responsible for severe cases.
However, the study, conducted with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP2) and Novartis Global Health, reveals that 8.67% of malaria infections in Cameroon involve non-falciparum species. This is particularly striking as P. vivax was thought to be absent in sub-Saharan Africa due to genetic resistance in most African populations. By analyzing 1,201 participants from six major cities across county’s diverse ecological zones, the research team observed significant regional variations in malaria prevalence.
The Sahelian zone recorded the highest infection rate at 64.22%, while the Humid Savannah had the lowest at 45.47%. The Forest zone exhibited the greatest parasite diversity, highlighting the need for a more tailored approach to malaria control based on geography. The study also identified cases of co-infection in 4.68% of participants, where individuals were infected with multiple Plasmodium species at the same time. According to experts, these co-infections could impact disease severity and complicate treatment outcomes.
Dr. Christelle Metchum, a medical expert from Baleveng District Hospital, stressed the importance of reassessing the country’s malaria strategy in light of these findings. She pointed out that non-falciparum species are often overlooked but can still cause severe illness, making early detection and targeted treatment essential. Professor Mbulli and his team are calling for urgent policy reforms to incorporate these findings into malaria control programs. They emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance systems to track all Plasmodium species, improved diagnostic tools capable of detecting non-falciparum infections, and treatment protocols that address the full spectrum of malaria parasites.
