Erythrocyte Receptors for ( Plasmodium Knowlesi ) Malaria: Duffy Blood Group Determinants

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1145213
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T15:11:22Z
• Authors: Louis H. Miller; Steven J. Mason; James A. Dvorak; Mary H. McGinniss; Ivan K. Rothman
• Keywords: Plasmodium; 0303 health sciences; Binding Sites; Erythrocytes; Genotype; Homozygote; Videotape Recording; Malaria; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Pronase; Blood Group Antigens; Chymotrypsin; Humans

Duffy blood group negative human erythrocytes ( FyFy ) are resistant to infection by Plasmodium knowlesi , a simian malaria that infects Duffy positive human erythrocytes. The P. knowlesi resistance factor, Duffy negative erythrocytes, occurs in high frequency in West Africa, where the people are resistant to vivax malaria. This suggests that Duffy blood group determinants ( Fy a or Fy b ) may be erythrocyte receptors for P. vivax .