Plasmodium vivax Infections Detected in a Large Number of Febrile Duffy-Negative Africans in Dschang, Cameroon

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 104; no. 3; pp. 987 - 992
• Main Authors: Djeunang Dongho, Ghyslaine Bruna, Gunalan, Karthigayan, L'Episcopia, Mariangela, Paganotti, Giacomo Maria, Menegon, Michela, Efeutmecheh Sangong, Rose, Bouting Mayaka, Georges, Fondop, Joseph, Severini, Carlo, Sanou Sobze, Martin, Miller, Louis H, Russo, Gianluca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 01-03-2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blacks - genetics; Blood; Cameroon - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Duffy Blood-Group System - genetics; Erythrocytes; Erythrocytes - microbiology; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Malaria, Vivax - blood; Malaria, Vivax - epidemiology; Malaria, Vivax - genetics; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Cameroon; Africa
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1255

The Duffy blood group is a critical receptor for Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) invasion of red blood cells, and consequently, P. vivax infections were considered rare in sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence of Duffy-negativity is high. However, recently, P. vivax infections have been found in Duffy-negative Africans throughout the malaria transmission area of sub-Saharan Africa, raising important questions concerning the molecular composition of these P. vivax clones and the red blood cell receptors that facilitate their invasion. Here, we describe an unusually high number of P. vivax infections in febrile Duffy-negative Africans in Dschang, Cameroon (177 of 500 outpatients), as compared with Santchou (two of 400 outpatients) and Kyé-ossi (two of 101 outpatients), in other areas in Cameroon. In the discussion, we speculate on the possible reasons why Dschang might account for the unusually large numbers of P. vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals living there.