Influence of blood group, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and Haemoglobin genotype on Falciparum malaria in children in Vihiga highland of Western Kenya

Abstract

Background Genetic diversity of ABO blood, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and haemoglobin type and their ability to protect against malaria vary geographically, ethnically and racially. No study has been carried out in populations resident in malaria regions in western Kenya. Method A total of 574 malaria cases (severe malaria anaemia, SMA = 137 and non-SMA = 437) seeking treatment at Vihiga County and Referral Hospital in western Kenya, were enrolled and screened for ABO blood group, G6PD deficiency and haemoglobin genotyped in a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Result When compared to blood group O, blood groups A, AB and B were not associated with SMA ( P = 0.380, P = 0.183 and P = 0.464, respectively). Further regression analysis revealed that the carriage of the intermediate status of G6PD was associated with risk to SMA (OR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.029–2.266, P = 0.035). There was, however, no association between AS and SS with severe malaria anaemia. Co-occurrence of both haemoglobin type and G6PD i.e. the AA/intermediate was associated with risk to SMA (OR = 1.536, 95%CI = 1.007–2.343, P = 0.046) while the carriage of the AS/normal G6PD was associated with protection against SMA (OR = 0.337, 95%CI = 0.156–0.915, P = 0.031). Conclusion Results demonstrate that blood group genotypes do not have influence on malaria disease outcome in this region. Children in Vihiga with blood group O have some protection against malaria. However, the intermediate status of G6PD is associated with risk of SMA. Further, co-inheritance of sickle cell and G6PD status are important predictors of malaria disease outcome. This implies combinatorial gene function in influencing disease outcome.

Effect of iron fortification on anaemia and risk of malaria among Ghanaian pre-school children with haemoglobinopathies and different ABO blood groups

“…Haemoglobinopathies and ABO blood types have been shown to influence the risk of severe malaria and anaemia [ 1 – 3 ]. It has been proposed that in haemoglobin S (HbS) and C (HbC), a reduction in parasite growth during tissue hypoxia together with lowered cytoadherence due to poor display of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 ( Pf EMP1) enhances parasite clearance, which reduces the risk of clinical malaria [ 4 – 6 ].…”

Regional Variations And Interrelationships Of Age And Polyparasitism On Covid-19 In Africa

“…Often, mutations in response to longstanding infectious diseases have high selective values and become quickly disseminated across geospatial regions and among diverse African ethnic groups. Excellent examples of this include the APOL1 polymorphisms associated with resistance to Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) [15], the Duffy blood group polymorphism associated with resistance to P. vivax malaria [16], and the distribution of the sickle cell mutation and variants in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in response to endemic P. falciparum malaria [17]. COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is just the latest wave of pathogenic viruses to sweep into Africa.…”