Platelets inhibit erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum at physiological platelet:erythrocyte ratios.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of platelet:erythrocyte (P:E) ratios on Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion.

Background: Recent reports have shown that platelets are directly involved in the immune response towards P. falciparum during erythrocyte invasion.

Characterization of GYP*Mur and novel GYP*Bun-like hybrids in Thai blood donors reveals a qualitatively altered s antigen.

Background And Objectives: The Mi(a+) GP(B-A-B) hybrid phenotypes occur with a prevalence of 2%-23% across Southeast Asia. While the s antigen is alleged to be altered, no evidence for specific variants is known. Screening using a monoclonal IgM anti-s mistyped six S-s+ RBC units as S-s-.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of 36 blood group alleles among 396 Thai samples reveals region-specific variants.

Background: Blood group phenotype variation has been attributed to potential resistance to pathogen invasion. Variation was mapped in blood donors from Lampang (northern region) and Saraburi (central region), Thailand, where malaria is endemic. The previously unknown blood group allele profiles were characterized and the data were correlated with phenotypes.