Sickle Cell???????

Question

I have the sickle cell trait, someone told me people with that are immune to malaria. Is this true?

-why are ppl with that immune to it? The way the cell is shaped, or are they lacking some sort of thing that malaria needs to work.

Answer 1

Yes, it is believed the malarial parasites do not survive well in red cells with sickle cell trait. Malarial parasites which multiple in red cells before bursting the cells and infecting other cells do not survive the changes that occur when the cells alter shape under low oxygen tension after the hemoglobin releases oxygen to tissues before returning to the lungs. One gene of hemoglobin S (sickle cell trait) can cause mild sickling, but two genes can produce more significant sickling leading to infarctions and damage of tissues. At least that is the explanation I was taught.

Answer 2

Yes. Also, those who have the RBC phenotype Fy(a-b-)seem to be resistant to infection with malaria P.vivax and other malarial parasites. (Fy pronounced Duffy).
This RBC antigen phenotype is much more prevalent in the black population than in the white population. However, this creates a problem in the US when treating individuals with Sickle Cell disease. Because most donated units of blood are Fya and/or Fyb pos and most Sickle patients are negative for both, they are at risk for making the antibodies to these antigens making it more difficult for crossmatching later. Sometimes genetics solves one problem (malaria) and creates another (Sickle disease).

Answer 3

yes it is true.. if not totally immune, you have a higher resistance than someone who is not.. i can't remember why off of the top of my head, but i COULD go find my pathology book and look it up. the question came up months ago when i was taking a class on pathology.. if you really want me to look up why, shoot me an email and i'll do it for you

Answer 4

yes.

Answer 5

thanks to evolution...yes it is true.