Vet Pathology Wiki

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What mutation is particularly protective from P. vivax infection?

Point mutations in globin genes - sickle cell disease

Globin deficiencies (α and β thalassemias

Mutations in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in RBCs

Absence of Duffy surface blood group (DARC) band3 spectrin

P.vivax specifically enters blood cells using Duffy surface blood group antigens and therefore the absence of these is protective - common in people from West Africa.

All these mutations are pathogenic in the homozygous form, but heterozygous individuals benefit from reduced susceptibility from P. falciparum