Genetic factors that confer resistance and susceptibility to malaria

Genetics of malaria resistance and susceptibility

Abstract

Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The genetic basis of malaria resistance is complex, multi-genic and regulated at several levels. Its severity varies from asymptomatic to severe life-threatening forms, which depends on a complex interplay of the parasite virulence, parasite transmission dynamics, host immune responses as well as the host genetic make-up. Studies have confirmed that besides environmental factors and population diversity, human too has developed numerous defense mechanisms to protect themselves from severe forms of malaria. There is growing evidence of ethnic differences in susceptibility to malaria and of the diverse genetic adaptations to malaria that have arisen in different populations. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summaries the genetic variations related to the resistance and susceptibility to malaria. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline, Embase and Google Scholar to obtain the literature related to the malaria resistance and susceptibility. From the literature, it is evident that resistance and susceptibility to malaria is modulated by an array of genetic variations that determine RBC variants, pathogen receptors, cyto-adherence, inflammation and immunity. Critical insights into this information will help future research on biomarker identification for scoring susceptibility/resistance to malaria and for vaccine development.