LAUSR

Significance Endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma (eBL) is the most common pediatric cancer in malaria-endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and is universally fatal if untreated. Previous research has suggested an etiological link between malaria exposure and eBL. In this study, we used spatially detailed data on malaria parasite infection and eBL incidence in sub-Saharan Africa to assess the strength of this association. We found each additional 100 lifetime P. falciparum infections were associated with a 39% increase in age-specific risk of eBL, suggesting that malaria reduction may substantially reduce eBL incidence and mortality. Because the impact of malaria on eBL appears to be cumulative, evaluation of these efforts should account for lags between declines in malaria incidence and eBL incidence.