Blood groups and malaria: fresh insights into pathogenesis and identification of targets for intervention.
OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the interaction between malaria parasites and blood group antigens and discusses how the knowledge gleaned can be used to target the development of new antimalarial treatments and vaccines.


RESULTS
Studies of the interaction between Plasmodium vivax and the Duffy antigen provide the clearest example of the potential for basic research on blood groups and malaria to be translated into a vaccine that could have a major impact on global health. Progress is also being made in understanding the effects of other blood group antigens on malaria. After years of controversy, the effect of ABO blood groups on falciparum malaria has been clarified, with the non-O blood groups emerging as significant risk factors for life-threatening malaria, through the mechanism of enhanced rosette formation. The Knops blood group system may also influence malaria susceptibility, although conflicting results from different countries mean that further research is required. Unanswered questions remain about the interactions between malaria parasites and other blood group antigens, including the Gerbich, MNS and Rhesus systems.


CONCLUSIONS
The interplay between malaria parasites and blood group antigens remains a fascinating subject with potential to contribute to the development of new interventions to reduce the global burden of malaria.
Rowe
J Alexandra
JA
Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Alex.Rowe@ed.ac.uk
Opi
D Herbert
DH
Williams
Thomas N
TN
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000187:drug effects*; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; C066001:Duffy antigen binding protein, Plasmodium; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface