Alpha(+)-thalassaemia and malarial anaemia.
The mechanisms by which alpha(+)-thalassaemia protects against severe malaria, and severe malarial anaemia in particular, are poorly understood. A recent report proposes that the increased count of microcytic and hypochromic erythrocytes in alpha(+)-thalassaemia reduces the haemoglobin decline during acute malaria and, thus, reduces the risk of anaemia. This mechanism might add to further alpha(+)-thalassaemic attributes that are involved in the attenuation of anaemia caused by both acute and chronic Plasmodium infections.
Danquah
Ina
I
Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Spandauer Damm 130, 14050 Berlin, Germany.
Mockenhaupt
Frank P
FP
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics