The Relative Prevalence of Typhoid and Malaria in Febrile Patients in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Malaria and typhoid fever are debilitating diseases responsible for the deaths of thousands of lives annually. Over the last decade both diseases have received increasing attention with particular focus on malaria. However, recent reports indicate an increasing co-infection rate between mala- ria and typhoid fever. Familiar signs and symptoms of both diseases have led to the belief in some communities that it’s a new disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between mala- ria and typhi O and H antigens among patients reporting with fever. Patients reporting with fever from April 2013-March 2014 were recruited for the study. Our results showed that there was no association between having malaria and typhoid fever infection. However, having fever was asso- ciated with having both diseases. Also, fever among patients was more likely to be caused by Sal- monella typhi O and H antigens than plasmodium parasites. Infections of both diseases were higher in wet season than in dry season. The study recommends that malaria and typhoid fever intervention programs are increased in endemic areas. Also attention should be paid to typhoid fever infection rates in the country.