Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria
Malaria continues to be a significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas. The disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through mosquito bites. This review investigates the genetic adaptations that humans have developed over time as a response to malaria. Notable adaptatio...
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National Board of Examinations
2025-01-01
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| Series: | National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=L1NTTFF2dEpHWTFEZzloWEQ5eFdCZz09 |
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| author | Arun Ghosh Aparna Ajith S Abhijith Pradeep |
| author_facet | Arun Ghosh Aparna Ajith S Abhijith Pradeep |
| author_sort | Arun Ghosh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Malaria continues to be a significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas. The disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through mosquito bites. This review investigates the genetic adaptations that humans have developed over time as a response to
malaria. Notable adaptations include hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell trait, thalassemias, hemoglobin C), enzyme disorders (G6PD deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency), and membrane protein variations (Duffy antigen negativity, hereditary ovalocytosis). These traits
disrupt the malaria parasite's life cycle or enhance immune responses, thereby protecting against severe disease. However, they also introduce health risks, such as chronic anemia and complications with certain medications. Future research focuses on gene-editing technologies
and new treatments to improve malaria management while addressing these associated health challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0e80072e66c4798baeaa526da1aef8e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2583-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | National Board of Examinations |
| record_format | Article |
| series | National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0e80072e66c4798baeaa526da1aef8e2025-01-07T10:19:38ZengNational Board of ExaminationsNational Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences2583-75242025-01-0131495510.61770/NBEJMS.2025.v03.i01.007Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to MalariaArun Ghosh0Aparna Ajith S1Abhijith Pradeep2Junior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, IndiaJunior Resident, Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, IndiaJunior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, IndiaMalaria continues to be a significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas. The disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through mosquito bites. This review investigates the genetic adaptations that humans have developed over time as a response to malaria. Notable adaptations include hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell trait, thalassemias, hemoglobin C), enzyme disorders (G6PD deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency), and membrane protein variations (Duffy antigen negativity, hereditary ovalocytosis). These traits disrupt the malaria parasite's life cycle or enhance immune responses, thereby protecting against severe disease. However, they also introduce health risks, such as chronic anemia and complications with certain medications. Future research focuses on gene-editing technologies and new treatments to improve malaria management while addressing these associated health challenges.https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=L1NTTFF2dEpHWTFEZzloWEQ5eFdCZz09malariagenetic adaptationspopulation genetics |
| spellingShingle | Arun Ghosh Aparna Ajith S Abhijith Pradeep Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences malaria genetic adaptations population genetics |
| title | Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria |
| title_full | Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria |
| title_fullStr | Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria |
| title_short | Adaptive Genetic Traits in Human Populations: Evolutionary Responses to Malaria |
| title_sort | adaptive genetic traits in human populations evolutionary responses to malaria |
| topic | malaria genetic adaptations population genetics |
| url | https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=L1NTTFF2dEpHWTFEZzloWEQ5eFdCZz09 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT arunghosh adaptivegenetictraitsinhumanpopulationsevolutionaryresponsestomalaria AT aparnaajiths adaptivegenetictraitsinhumanpopulationsevolutionaryresponsestomalaria AT abhijithpradeep adaptivegenetictraitsinhumanpopulationsevolutionaryresponsestomalaria |