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- Title
Increased microerythrocyte count in homozygous alpha(+)-thalassaemia contributes to protection against severe malarial anaemia.
- Authors
Fowkes, Freya J I; Allen, Stephen J; Allen, Angela; Alpers, Michael P; Weatherall, David J; Day, Karen P
- Abstract
The heritable haemoglobinopathy alpha(+)-thalassaemia is caused by the reduced synthesis of alpha-globin chains that form part of normal adult haemoglobin (Hb). Individuals homozygous for alpha(+)-thalassaemia have microcytosis and an increased erythrocyte count. Alpha(+)-thalassaemia homozygosity confers considerable protection against severe malaria, including severe malarial anaemia (SMA) (Hb concentration < 50 g/l), but does not influence parasite count. We tested the hypothesis that the erythrocyte indices associated with alpha(+)-thalassaemia homozygosity provide a haematological benefit during acute malaria.
- Publication
PLoS medicine, 2008, Vol 5, Issue 3, pe56
- ISSN
1549-1676
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pmed.0050056