Frequencies of some human genetic markers and their association with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Background & objectives: There is paucity of information on the association between Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria and some human genetic markers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Hence,a study was undertaken in children to assess the current level of subclinical malaria due to P.falciparum.Methods: Blood groups ABO and Rhesus factor, haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, G-6-PDdeficiency status and malaria were determined among 240 apparently healthy children in a crosssectionaldescriptive study using standard procedures.Results: The prevalence of P. falciparum malaria in this region was high (27.5%). Blood group O(51.3%) dominated the study population, followed by B (23.8%), A (21.3%), and AB (3.8%).Rhesus D positive accounted for 91.3% while Rh D negative was 8.7%. Sickle-cell trait (HbAS)prevalence was 12.5% while HbAA accounted for 87.5%. In all, 5.42% of the children were G-6-PD deficient while 94.58% had normal G-6-PD status. Chi-square analysis revealed that onlyblood group O and Rh D negative had a significant association with P. falciparum malaria (2=4.3636, p <0.05 and 2 = 5.760, p <0.02 respectively). No significant association was found toexist between P. falciparum malaria and other genetic markers.Conclusion: This study has provided the current prevalence rates of some genetic markers in amalaria endemic region of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Of all the genetic markers tested, only Bloodgroup O and Rh D negative had significant and positive associations with P. falciparum infection.

Keywords

• ABO blood group
• G-6-PD deficiency
• HbAA
• HbAS
• Niger Delta
• Nigeria
• Plasmodium falciparum malaria
• Rh factor