Background: Host adhesion molecules play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and changes in their structure or levels in individuals can influence the outcome of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of SNPs of three adhesion molecule genes, ICAM1, PECAM1 and CD36, with severity of falciparum malaria in a malaria-endemic and a non-endemic region of India.
Background & objectives:
Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder of erythrocytes, is highly prevalent in the tribal population of India. The tribal population of India is approximately 100 million and it is necessary to identify the magnitude of this problem. Furthermore, the prevalence of the disease is unknown among the five million tribal people of southern provinces of Rajasthan. In this study, we intended to determine the prevalence and characteristics of sickle cell disorder among the tribal inhabitants of southern Rajasthan.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among the tribal students of the
Maa-Baadis
and hostels situated in the five tribal sub-plan districts of Rajasthan.
Maa-Baadi
centres are located in every village, whereas for every four to five villages, one hostel is allocated to accommodate the tribal students. The screening for SCD was done by solubility test and electrophoresis was used for confirmation.
Results:
A total of 36,752 tribal students were screened from 1,006
Maa-Baadi
centres and 243 hostels. The prevalence of SCD among the tribal students was 5.8 per cent. The prevalence of heterozygous and homozygous conditions was 5.61 and 0.17 per cent, respectively. Among the five sub-plan districts, the highest prevalence was observed in Sirohi district (10.5%) followed by Banswara (7.42%), Udaipur (6.53%), Pratapgarh (5.51%) and Dungarpur (1.89%). Among the four major tribes belonging to these districts, the highest prevalence was recorded in
Garasia
tribes (13.81%). The history of leg ulcers and the mean pulse rate were significantly high in SCD individuals.
Interpretation & conclusions:
SCD is a significant problem among the tribes of southern Rajasthan, with the highest prevalence among the
Garasia
tribe. The present study recommends that a structured screening programme targeting the entire tribal population with appropriate counselling as well as providing treatment through the existing health system is the need of the hour.
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