Genetic resistance to human malaria

Human beings are sometime expose to the same to predisposing factors of a given infectious disease, but the outcome in terms of disease manifestation differs greatly. This variation is mainly attributed to the genetic makeup of such individuals; this is because human genetic has long been associated with the variation in susceptibility to various infectious diseases, which is termed as genetic resistance. Therefore the aim of this paper was to review the state of knowledge on genetic resistance associated with malaria infection. Genetic resistance to malaria can be describe as an inherited alteration or changes in the genetic material of humans specifically DNA molecule and other vital biomolecules which increases the chances of resistance to malaria and thus, result in an increased survival of individuals with those genetic alterations. In addition such changes also affect the general wellbeing and survival of the parasite to the extent that the parasite cannot even multiply or replicate itself while in such infected erythrocyte. This is because such alteration in the DNA molecule interferes with some of the vital chemical and biochemical processes of the parasite (Plasmodim spp). Therefore, several genetic disorders and or trait which include: Sickle cell disease, Glocose-۶-Phosphatedehyrogenase deficiency, Pyruvate Kinase deficiency, Duffy antigen, Ovalocytocytosis, Thalassemia and ABO blood group are known to offer special protection against malaria disease in individuals who possessed at least one of such disorders or trait.

Keywords:

Sickle cell disease , Glocose-۶-Phosphatedehyrogenase deficiency , Pyruvate Kinase deficiency , Duffy antigen , Ovalocytocytosis , Thalassamia , ABO Blood group