Protection afforded by sickle-cell trait against asymptomatic malarial infection in Burkina Faso

Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in Burkina Faso because every yearthe burkinabè population continue to bear a heavy burden. Malaria infection depends on the parasite's ability to interact with the host's red blood cells for its development. In population living in malaria endemic areas, sickle cell trait (HbAS, HbAC and HbCC) is considered to be a factor in malaria resistance. The present study aims to assess the involvement of sickle cell hemoglobin S and C in the protection against asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in Burkina Faso. Methodology: The study population consisted of 182 participants. A volume of 4 ml of venous blood was collected from each participant and referred to CERBA for the determination of parasitaemia, hemogram, blood group/rhesus and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Results: The age group of the study population was distributed as follows: less than 5 years (45.6%), 5 to 15 years (4.4%) and more than 15 years (50.0%). Homozygous AA (73.08%) individuals had a parasitaemia> 1000 trp/µL while heterozygotes AS (7.14%) had a parasitaemia <1000trp/µL, 100% of SC had a parasitaemia<1000 trp/µL as well as 30.30% of AC. The most common blood groups were O + (46.15%) and B + (24.72%). Conclusion: The low prevalence of parasitaemia observed in individuals with sickle cell traits (HbAS, HbAC and HbCC) and major sickle cell syndrome (HbSC) would confirm the hypothesis of protection against asymptomatic malaria infection in Burkina Faso.