Increased microerythrocyte count in homozygous alpha(+)-thalassaemia contributes to protection against severe malarial anaemia.

The heritable haemoglobinopathy alpha(+)-thalassaemia is caused by the reduced synthesis of alpha-globin chains that form part of normal adult haemoglobin (Hb). Individuals homozygous for alpha(+)-thalassaemia have microcytosis and an increased erythrocyte count. Alpha(+)-thalassaemia homozygosity c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Freya J I Fowkes, Stephen J Allen, Angela Allen, Michael P Alpers, David J Weatherall, Karen P Day
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2008-03-01
Series:PLoS Medicine
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2267813?pdf=render