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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Both heterozygous and homozygous α
+
thalassemias protect against severe and fatal Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the coast of Kenya
Blood, Volume 106, No. 1, Year 2005
Notification
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Description
Although the α+ thalassemias almost certainly confer protection against death from malaria, this has not been formally documented. We have conducted a study involving 655 case patients with rigorously defined severe malaria and 648 controls, frequency matched on area of residence and ethnic group. The prevalence of both heterozygous and homozygous α+ thalassemia was reduced in both case patients with severe malaria (adjusted odds ratios [ORs], 0.73 and 0.57; 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs], 0.57-0.94 and 0.40-0.81; P = .013 and P = .002, respectively, compared with controls) and among the subgroup of children who died after admission with severe malaria (OR, 0.60 and 0.37; 95% CI, 0.37-1.00 and 0.16-0.87; P = .05 and P = .02, respectively, compared with surviving case patients). The lowest ORs were seen for the forms of malaria associated with the highest mortality-coma and severe anemia complicated by deep, acidotic breathing. Our study supports the conclusion that both heterozygotes and homozygotes enjoy a selective advantage against death from Plasmodium falciparum malaria. © 2005 by The American Society of Hematology.
Authors & Co-Authors
Williams, Thomas Neil
Kenya, Kilifi
Centre for Geographic Medicine Research
Wambua, Sammy
Unknown Affiliation
Uyoga, Sophie M.
Unknown Affiliation
Macharia, Alex W.
Unknown Affiliation
Mwacharo, Jedidah K.
Unknown Affiliation
Newton, Charles R.J.C.
Unknown Affiliation
Maitland, Kathryn M.
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 189
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 1
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1182/blood-2005-01-0313
ISSN:
00064971
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Kenya