Association between alpha-thalassaemia trait, Plasmodium falciparum asexual parasites and gametocyte carriage in a malaria endemic area in Southern Ghana

Lamptey, Helena; Ofori, Michael F.; Adu, Bright; Kusi, Kwadwo Asamoah; Dickson, Emmanuel K.; Quakyi, Isabella A.; Alifrangis, Michael

doi:10.1186/s13104-019-4181-8

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This prevalence is particularly notable in Southeast Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern countries. Gene selection for α-thalassaemia confers protection against malaria falciparum [ 6 , 7 ]. However, nowadays, population migration has increased α-gene mutation frequency even in the malarial non-endemic regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hematological Profile of Hb Adana Among High School Students in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Siti Asmaa,

Miin Phoon,

Zakaria

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Background Hb Adana is a non-deletional alpha (α)-thalassaemia variant resulting from mutations in α1- or α2-globin codon 59 (α CD59 ), leading to the production of unstable α-globin. Clinical manifestations can vary from silent carrier status to dependence on blood transfusions, hepatosplenomegaly, skeletal deformities, and spinal cord compression. Despite the significance of Hb Adana inheritance, studying this variant poses challenges due to the scarcity of molecular tests and the potential for routine diagnoses to be overlooked. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Hb Adana among local high school students and assess the hematological parameters and hemoglobin analysis of Hb Adana in Malaysia. Methodology This retrospective study analyzed 13,721 blood samples collected from high school students participating in Malaysia's National Thalassaemia Screening Program at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II). Deletional α-thalassaemia was detected using multiplex gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while common non-deletional α-thalassaemia was identified using multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR. Data were extracted from the HRPZ II database for analysis. Results Among the participants, 2327 individuals were found to have either common deletional (n=1037, 44.6%) or non-deletional (n=1290, 55.4%) α-thalassaemia. Hb Constant Spring was the most prevalent non-deletional α-thalassaemia, accounting for 53.03% of cases. Thirty-one participants (1.33%) exhibited α CD59 α/αα, and one (0.04%) had α CD59 α/-α 3.7 . Among the 32 subjects with Hb Adana, 87.5% were Malay, and 12.5% were Orang Asli. Additionally, seven cases of HbE/Hb Adana co-inheritance were identified. Hemoglobin levels in heterozygous Hb Adana individuals ranged from mild anemia to normal, between 95 g/L and 153 g/L. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were approximately 73 fL and 23 pg, respectively. Conclusion This study delineates the distribution of α-thalassaemia mutation patterns among high school students in Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia. Our findings indicate that Hb Adana is rare in our region and co-inheritance with an α-gene deletion results in α+-thalassaemia and with HbE, α0-thalassaemia. All heterozygous Hb Adana individuals exhibited low MCVs and MCHs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hematological Profile of Hb Adana Among High School Students in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Siti Asmaa,

Miin Phoon,

Zakaria

et al. 2024

Cureus

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“…In Ghana, HbC is most frequent in the northern part of the country (19.7% to 20.7%) (16,17). a-thalassemia is highly prevalent in the sub-Saharan region (up to 50%) (18,19) and in Southeast Asia (40%) (20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of haemoglobinopathies on asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection and naturally acquired immunity among children in Northern Ghana

Lamptey¹,

Seidu²,

Lopez-Perez³

et al. 2023

Front. Hematol.

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BackgroundThe protective effect of certain haemoglobinopathies, such as HbS, HbC, and α-thalassaemia, against severe malaria has long been established; however, there is only limited and equivocal evidence regarding their impact on asymptomatic parasitaemia. Here, we investigated the effect of HbS, HbC, and α-thalassaemia on asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia and acquired immunity among children in Northern Ghana.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,017 healthy children (1-17 years) in 13 malaria-endemic communities in Northern Ghana. The children were screened for structural Hb phenotypes using SickleSCAN, for P. falciparum infection using anti-HRP2 malaria RDT and subsequently confirmed by capillary electrophoresis and PCR, respectively. α-thalassaemia genotyping was done using PCR. Levels of IgG specific for six recombinant malaria antigens (PfCSP, GLURP, MSP3, Pfs230, HB3VAR06, and IT4VAR60) and crude asexual blood-stage antigens were evaluated by ELISA.Results266 out of the 1,017 participants had either HbAC (18%) or HbAS (8.4%), whereas 35% had α‐thalassaemia. Twenty-five percent and 6% HbAC individuals co-inherited heterozygous and homozygous α-thalassaemia respectively. Similarly, 25% and 10.5% of HbAS co-inherited heterozygous and homozygous α-thalassaemia. Asymptomatic parasitaemia rates were 23%, 24%, and 19% in those with HbAA, HbAC and HbAS, respectively. The overall parasite carriage rates in heterozygous (21%) and homozygous α-thalassaemia (25%) individuals were similar to that of individuals without α-thalassaemia (23%). P. falciparum parasite carriage risk was about three times higher among homozygous α-thalassaemia individuals with HbAC (OR = 2.97; 95% CI 0.83-10.62) and heterozygous carriers with HbAS variants (OR = 2.86; 95% CI 0.85-9.60) compared to the wildtype. In HbAS individuals, IgG levels to IT4VAR60 and HB3VAR06 were significantly lower, whereas anti-CSP levels were higher than in HbAA and HbAC.ConclusionsCo-inheritance of HbAS and HbAC with α-thalassaemia increased the risk of asymptomatic parasitaemia, an indication of a negative epistatic effect between these Hb variants. Antibody levels against non-PfEMP1 antigens were slightly higher among HbAS children, but quite similar in all study groups, indicating differences in parasite exposure.

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“…Although it is not clear why individuals develop either uncomplicated or severe Plasmodium falciparum (Pf ) infections [2,3], genetic factors may play a role in the severity of the disease in individuals with certain hemoglobinopathies [2]. For instance, individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) and thalassemia trait experience a lower malaria mortality rate [2,[4][5][6]. SCT and sickle cell disease (SCD) result from genetic mutations in the beta chains of the hemoglobin (Hb) gene, leading to morphological changes in red blood cells (RBCs) in hypoxic conditions [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sickle Cell Hemoglobin Genotypes Affect Malaria Parasite Growth and Correlate with Exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p Levels

Harp

Bashi

Botchway

et al. 2023

IJMS

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Malaria affects a significant portion of the global population, with 247 million cases in 2021, primarily in Africa. However, certain hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell trait (SCT), have been linked to lower mortality rates in malaria patients. Hemoglobin (Hb) mutations, including HbS and HbC, can cause sickle cell disease (SCD) when both alleles are inherited (HbSS and HbSC). In SCT, one allele is inherited and paired with a normal allele (HbAS, HbAC). The high prevalence of these alleles in Africa may be attributed to their protective effect against malaria. Biomarkers are crucial for SCD and malaria diagnosis and prognosis. Studies indicate that miRNAs, specifically miR-451a and let-7i-5p, are differentially expressed in HbSS and HbAS compared to controls. Our research examined the levels of exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p in red blood cells (RBCs) and infected red blood cells (iRBCs) from multiple sickle Hb genotypes and their impact on parasite growth. We assessed exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p levels in vitro in RBC and iRBC supernatants. Exosomal miRNAs exhibited distinct expression patterns in iRBCs from individuals with different sickle Hb genotypes. Additionally, we discovered a correlation between let-7i-5p levels and trophozoite count. Exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p could modulate SCD and malaria severity and serve as potential biomarkers for malaria vaccines and therapies.

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Association between alpha-thalassaemia trait, Plasmodium falciparum asexual parasites and gametocyte carriage in a malaria endemic area in Southern Ghana

Cited by 5 publications

References 26 publications

Hematological Profile of Hb Adana Among High School Students in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Hematological Profile of Hb Adana Among High School Students in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Impact of haemoglobinopathies on asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection and naturally acquired immunity among children in Northern Ghana

Sickle Cell Hemoglobin Genotypes Affect Malaria Parasite Growth and Correlate with Exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p Levels

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