Reduced risk of uncomplicated malaria episodes in children with a+-thalassemia in northeastern Tanzania
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Reduced risk of uncomplicated malaria episodes in children with a+-thalassemia in northeastern Tanzania. / Enevold, Anders; Lusingu, John P; Mmbando, Bruno; Alifrangis, Michael; Lemnge, Martha M; Bygbjerg, Ib C; Theander, Thor G; Vestergaard, Lasse S.
In: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol. 78, No. 5, 2008, p. 714-20.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Reduced risk of uncomplicated malaria episodes in children with a+-thalassemia in northeastern Tanzania
AU - Enevold, Anders
AU - Lusingu, John P
AU - Mmbando, Bruno
AU - Alifrangis, Michael
AU - Lemnge, Martha M
AU - Bygbjerg, Ib C
AU - Theander, Thor G
AU - Vestergaard, Lasse S
N1 - Keywords: Anemia; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA; Female; Genotype; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Hemoglobins; Homozygote; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Sickle Cell Trait; Tanzania; alpha-Thalassemia
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The prevalence of human red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms is high in areas of intense Plasmodium falciparum transmission, and individuals carrying these genetic traits are believed to be partially protected against severe malaria. However, it remains uncertain how RBC polymorphisms affect the susceptibility to uncomplicated malaria. We compared the risk of suffering from febrile, uncomplicated malaria between individuals carrying three common RBC polymorphisms (sickle cell trait, alpha(+)-thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency) and controls. The study was performed in an area of intense malaria transmission where 202 individuals 0-19 years of age were monitored clinically for a period of 6 months. RBC polymorphisms were assessed with molecular methods, and plasma antibodies to P. falciparum variant surface antigens (anti-VSA IgG) and glutamate-rich protein (anti-GLURP IgG) were measured with flow cytometry and ELISA assays, respectively. Regression analyses showed that alpha(+)-thalassemia was associated with a reduced risk of uncomplicated malaria episodes and that this advantageous effect seemed to be more predominant in children older than 5 years of age, but was independent of levels of antibodies to VSA and GLURP.
AB - The prevalence of human red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms is high in areas of intense Plasmodium falciparum transmission, and individuals carrying these genetic traits are believed to be partially protected against severe malaria. However, it remains uncertain how RBC polymorphisms affect the susceptibility to uncomplicated malaria. We compared the risk of suffering from febrile, uncomplicated malaria between individuals carrying three common RBC polymorphisms (sickle cell trait, alpha(+)-thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency) and controls. The study was performed in an area of intense malaria transmission where 202 individuals 0-19 years of age were monitored clinically for a period of 6 months. RBC polymorphisms were assessed with molecular methods, and plasma antibodies to P. falciparum variant surface antigens (anti-VSA IgG) and glutamate-rich protein (anti-GLURP IgG) were measured with flow cytometry and ELISA assays, respectively. Regression analyses showed that alpha(+)-thalassemia was associated with a reduced risk of uncomplicated malaria episodes and that this advantageous effect seemed to be more predominant in children older than 5 years of age, but was independent of levels of antibodies to VSA and GLURP.
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 18458302
VL - 78
SP - 714
EP - 720
JO - Journal. National Malaria Society
JF - Journal. National Malaria Society
SN - 0002-9637
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 8377364