Plasmodium falciparum Infection Modulates Platelet Count than Leucocyte Parameters in Carriage of Different Haemoglobin Beta Subunit (HBB) Genotypes

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a prime genetic disorder due to a single nucleotide mutation resulting in haemoglobin gene (HbS) occurring in the regions where malaria is endemic. Though it primarily a disease of erythrocytes, non-erythrocytic cells are equally affected just like in malaria infection. Furthermore, leucocytes and thrombocytes have equally been hypothesized to be the driving force for sickle cell crisis. However, the modulatory trends and magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum infection on platelet and leucocyte parameters in sickle cell disease is not entirely explored.