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Previous genetic studies examining the susceptibility of mice to malaria demonstrated that animals with a mutation in the gene for pyruvate kinase (PK), Pklr, were resistant to infection with a challenge Plasmodium strain. Now, investigators in Canada are seeking to determine the molecular basis of this protective effect.
Five patients with homozygous (n=3) or heterozygous (n=2) PK deficiency provided erythrocytes for in vitro assays to evaluate both parasite invasion of erythrocytes and phagocytosis of erythrocytes by monocytes collected from healthy donors. These five patients were screened and did not have other hemolytic disorders. Assay comparisons included erythrocytes collected from individuals (controls) who did not have PK deficienc…