Abstract
A survey was conducted in order to investigate on possible relationship between genetic factors and malaria contraction. Different castes (Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra) of rural Southern Nepal were the subjects of this survey. The distribution of ABO blood groups and sickle cell hemoglobin was studied using a total of 669 blood samples from sexes, and G-6-PD deficiency was studied using a total of 311 male blood out of the above samples. The malaria parasitaemia was determined by microscopical examination of blood smear. Out of 669 individuals 29 (4.3%) were positive. High frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was observed in people of Sudra origin (15.4%) and lowest in Brahman (5.3%). The sickle cell hemoglobin was also high in Sudra (2.98%) and lowest in Brahman (2.05%). The distribution of sickles cell between male (3.53%) and female (1.95%) did not show any significance. Whereas, significant association of ABO groups with Plasmodium vivax and total malaria cases was observed. Blood group O showed the lowest frequency of malaria parasitaemia. The high incidence of malaria parasitaemia was found in male than female. No malaria cases were detected in G-6-PD deficient and sickler people. These results suggest that genetic factors may be associated with resistance to malaria.
Key words: G-6-PD deficiency; sickle cell; blood group; malaria; castes,; Nepal.