Host Genetics in Malaria Susceptibility

Asiimawe Masika Agnovia

Department of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry Kampala International University Uganda

Email: agnovia.asiimawe@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains one of the most significant parasitic diseases globally, exerting a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Host genetic factors play a critical role in determining susceptibility to malaria infection and severity, with evolutionary evidence showing that Plasmodium parasites have shaped human genetic diversity over centuries. Protective adaptations such as hemoglobinopathies, G6PD deficiency, and variations in erythrocyte surface antigens demonstrate the selective pressure malaria has exerted on human populations. Advances in genomics and molecular biology have expanded understanding of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations (CNVs), and immune-related polymorphisms that modulate host-parasite interactions. This paper reviews major genetic determinants of malaria susceptibility, explores their implications for pathophysiology, and highlights the role of modern genomic tools in uncovering novel protective and risk alleles. By integrating genetic insights with public health strategies, research in this field offers significant opportunities for vaccine development, targeted therapies, and precision medicine approaches in the global fight against malaria.

Keywords: Malaria susceptibility, Host genetics, Hemoglobinopathies, Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Copy number variations (CNVs).

CITE AS: Asiimawe Masika Agnovia (2025). Host Genetics in Malaria Susceptibility. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 5(3):57-64. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJSES/2025/5315764