Relation between alpha+-thalassemia and glutathione-s-transferases polymorphisms in children with severe malaria in Tanzania

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Date

2011

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Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania. malaria is believed to cause about 30% annual episodes and 15% death compared to other diseases. Alpha’-thalasscmia and common glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genotypic polymorphisms have been reported independently to confer protection against severe malaria, but the molecular basis for their individual protection is largely unknown. The relationship between genotypic polymorphisms of alpha*- thalassemia and GST in children with severe malaria was determined in a cross sectional-retrospective study using 148 children aged between 1 and 15 years. The study was conducted at Mnyuzi village in Korogwe district. Northeastern of Tanzania. Glulalhione-S-transferase-pil (GSTP\ ^polymorphism was observed to have almost three fold risk (OR = 2.9; 95% CI =1.3- 6.1; P = 0.006) of developing severe malaria in children compared to mild malaria. In the presence of GSTP\, decrease in protective effect of alpha*-thalassemia polymorphisms (homozygotes and heterozygotes) against severe malaria was observed from OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.5- 1.5; P = 0.5) to OR = 0.78 (95% CI = 0.4-1.5; P = 0.44). This study concludes that GSTP\ polymorphism increases malaria severity. Also there is slight inverse relationship between GSTP\ polymorphisms and alpha'-thalassemia to children with severe malaria.

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Master's Theses

Keywords

Alpha+-thalassemia- children-severe malaria, Thalassemia, Glutathione-s-transferases polymorphisms, children-severe malaria, Tanzania

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