Infection history and current co-infection with Schistosoma mansoni decreases Plasmodium species intensities in pre-school children from Uganda

Malaria-schistosomiasis co-infections are common in sub-Saharan Africa but studies present equivocal results regarding the inter-specific relationships between these parasites. Through mixed model analyses of a dataset of Ugandan preschool children, we explore how current co-infection and prior infection with either Schistosoma mansoni or Plasmodium species, alter subsequent 1) Plasmodium intensity 2) Plasmodium risk and 3) S. mansoni risk. Co-infection and prior infections with S. mansoni were associated with reduced Plasmodium intensity, moderated by prior Plasmodium infections, wealth and host age. Future work should assess whether these interactions impact host health and parasite control efficacy in this vulnerable age group.