A non-sense mutation in Cd36 gene is associated with protection from severe malaria.

Journal article

We sought genetic evidence for the importance of host-parasite interactions involving CD36 in severe malaria. We identified a non-sense mutation in Cd36 gene and looked at the influence of this mutation on the outcome of malaria infection in 693 African children with severe malaria and a similar number of ethnically matched controls. We showed that heterozygosity for this mutation is associated with protection from severe disease (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99; p=0.036). These findings suggest that this Cd36 mutation might have a complex effect on malaria infection by decreasing parasite sequestration, and also by decreasing host immune responses.

Authors: Pain, A; Urban, B; Kai, O; Casals-Pascual, C; Shafi, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Lancet
• Volume: 357
• Issue: 9267
• Pages: 1502-1503
• Publication date: 2001-05-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)04662-6
• EISSN: 1474-547X
• ISSN: 0140-6736
• Language: English
• Keywords: Codon, Nonsense; Antigens, CD36; Malaria, Falciparum; Child, Preschool; Child; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Female; Kenya; Male; Malaria, Cerebral; Infant; Heterozygote Detection