Homozygosity for the CD1E*02 allele is associated with a resistance to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in Gabonese school children

Objective: To explore the possible association between polymorphisms in CDI genes and both asymptomatic and mild Plasmodium fidciparum infection. Methods: Two clusters of 85 school children, from the village of Dienga (Gabon) were investigated. The first group was analysed for the prevalence and the multiplicity of asymptomatic Plasmodiun f;Jripurum infection, whereas the second group was screened for the frequency of malarial attacks. Results: Our findings showed that homozygosity for the CDIE*02 allele was associated with a low frequency of malarial attacks. Furthermore, a strong association between CDI E*02 homozygotes and the resistance to multiple malarial attacks was identified. The CDIA*01 allele showed a weak association with a small number of malarial attacks. Conclusion: Our results suggest a possible role of CDIE polymorphisms in malaria protection among school children and that CDle molecules are involved in anti -malarial immunity.