A −436C>A Polymorphism in the Human FAS Gene Promoter Associated with Severe Childhood Malaria

2011

FAS Gene Variant Linked to Severe Childhood Malaria

Sample size: 6035 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Schuldt Kathrin, Kretz Cosima C., Timmann Christian, Sievertsen Jürgen, Ehmen Christa, Esser Claudia, Loag Wibke, Ansong Daniel, Dering Carmen, Evans Jennifer, Ziegler Andreas, May Jürgen, Krammer Peter H., Agbenyega Tsiri, Horstmann Rolf D.

Primary Institution: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany

Hypothesis

Does the A allele of the c.−436C>A variant in the FAS gene promoter provide protection against severe childhood malaria?

Conclusion

The A allele of the c.−436C>A variant in the FAS gene promoter is associated with a reduced risk of severe childhood malaria.

Supporting Evidence

The A allele of c.−436C>A was found to be significantly associated with protection from severe childhood malaria.
Odds ratios indicated that homozygous individuals for the A allele had a greater protective effect.
The study included a large sample size of over 6,000 participants from Ghana.

Takeaway

Kids with a specific gene variant are less likely to get very sick from malaria. This gene helps their immune system work better.

Methodology

A candidate-gene association study was conducted with 1,195 severe malaria cases and 769 controls, followed by a replication study with 1,412 cases and 2,659 controls.