Haemoglobin Variants, ABO/Rh Blood Groups and their Associa-tions with Levels of Malaria Parasitaemia amongst Infected Subjects at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was to associate haemoglobin variants, ABO/Rh blood groups with levels of malaria parasitaemia amongst infected subjects at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. ABO/Rh D blood groups were analyzed using monoclonal antisera, and haemoglobin electrophoresis was analyzed using the alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoresis method, while malaria parasites were identified by microscopic examination of stained blood films. Graph Pad Prism version 8.0 was used to statistically analyze odd ratios, confidence intervals, likelihood ratios and relative risks. All 147 subjects (87 females, 60 males) were positive for malaria (Plasmodium falciparum). For 3+ falciparum malaria, the order of infection for haemoglobin genotype was AA > AS/SS; ABO blood group was B > A > O > AB; Rh blood group was Rh D+ > Rh D-; gender was females > males at p > 0.05. At p > 0.05, for 2+ falciparum malaria: haemoglobin genotype was SS >AA > AS; ABO blood group was B > A > O > AB; Rh blood group was Rh D- > Rh D+; and gender was females > Males. At p > 0.05, for 1+ falciparum malaria infection: haemoglobin genotype was AS >AA > SS; ABO blood group was AB > O > A > B; Rh blood group was Rh D+ > Rh D-; and gender was males > females. Conclusively, 3+ Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection is common amongst individuals with: AA haemoglobin genotype, blood group B, Rh D+, and females; 2+ P. falciparum infection is common amongst individuals with: haemoglobin genotype AA, blood group B, Rh D-, and females; while 1+ P. falciparum malaria infection is common amongst individuals with: AS haemogobin genotype, blood group AB, Rh D+, and amongst males than females.