BMC Infectious Diseases (Jan 2022)

Low incidence of COVID-19 case severity and mortality in Africa; Could malaria co-infection provide the missing link?

  • Silas Acheampong Osei,
  • Robert Peter Biney,
  • Alberta Serwah Anning,
  • Lydia Nkuah Nortey,
  • George Ghartey-Kwansah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07064-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Highlights Low incidence and mortality rate of COVID-19 in malaria endemic regions There have been reports of malaria and COVID-19 co-infection Malaria could be the link for the reported low incidence of COVID-19 in Africa Cross immunity and common immunodominant epitopes between Malaria and COVID-19, and antimalaria drugs could be the reason for observed low fatality and incidence rate of COVID-19 in malaria endemic regions. Malaria infection and deaths could increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to interrupted malaria control interventions.

Keywords