Is the HpO phenomenon in tropical populations really genetic?

Hum Hered. 1980;30(4):201-3. doi: 10.1159/000153127.

Abstract

Long-term studies of 98 unselected adults from a rural African community in Mali where malaria is endemic showed that the haptoglobin level of the blood increased significantly after 1 year of continuous anti-malarial treatment. This seems to indicate that hypo- or anhaptoglobinaemia in populations like this may in a considerable number of cases have a non-genetic basis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Haptoglobins / genetics
  • Haptoglobins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / blood*
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Malaria / genetics
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Haptoglobins
  • Chloroquine