Eroding the resistance of Duffy negativity to invasion by Plasmodium vivax?
Individuals possessing red cells negative for the Duffy blood group antigen are said to possess absolute resistance to infection by the malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax. Now in this issue of Transactions, initial evidence is presented from the Brazilian Amazon to suggest that P. vivax is being transmitted amongst Duffy-negative individuals. This supports data from East Africa where the same phenomenon has been observed. Thus the emerging picture is that P. vivax in both South America and in Africa is now evolving pathways other than Duffy to enter red cells.
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London, Lister Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK. g.pasvol@imperial.ac.uk
Geoffrey
G
Pasvol
D000818:Animals; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000276:immunology*
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004375:Duffy Blood-Group System