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. 1981 Jul;68(1):303–305. doi: 10.1172/JCI110248

Impairment of the Growth of Plasmodium Falciparum in HbEE Erythrocytes

Ronald L Nagel 1,2,3, Carmen Raventos-Suarez 1,2,3, Mary E Fabry 1,2,3, Herbert Tanowitz 1,2,3, Didier Sicard 1,2,3, Dominique Labie 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC370798  PMID: 7019245

Abstract

HbE is a β-chain mutant frequently found among inhabitants of Southeast Asia and surrounding territories. We find that Plasmodium falciparum multiplies more slowly in erythrocytes from individuals homozygous for HbE than in cells from HbA individuals. In contrast, this parasite grows normally in erythrocytes heterozygous for HbE. This is the first direct evidence that suggests what has been suspected on the basis of circumstantial data, that HbE-containing erythrocytes might be advantageous to the carrier in regions with endemic malaria.

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Selected References

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