Prevalence and susceptibility of malaria parasites infection in association with blood group and haemoglobin genotype polymorphism in pregnancy

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of malaria infection among 146 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ekpoma and its environs, in relation to blood groups and haemoglobin genotypes. They comprised 62, 40 and 44 pregnant women in their first, second and third trimesters respectively. Venous blood for the determination of haemoglobin genotypes and microscopic examination of malaria parasites, was collected via the median cubital vein. Malaria parasites were examined using both thin and thick blood films stained via the Giemsa method. Blood group ‘ABO’ was determined using commercially prepared anti sera, while their genotypes were determined using standard Haemoglobin Electrophoretic method. The results showed that 64 (44%) of the pregnant women were positive to malaria parasites, while 82 (56%) were negative to malaria parasites. Those in categories A Rhesus ‘D’ (26; 54%), B Rhesus D (11; 39%) and O Rhesus D (27; 42%), were infected with malaria parasite, while no prevalence of malaria parasites was recorded in the AB blood group category. Pregnant women with Hb-AA genotype had a higher malaria prevalence of 39 (42%), while those with Hb-AS genotype had malaria prevalence of 46% (n=25). These results revealed a varying relationship between malaria infection and blood group/genotype polymorphism.