Blood groups and malaria.

The possible relationship between erythrocyte antigens and the presence of malaria infection by P. vivax and P. falciparum was sought in four different ethnic groups of two departments of Colombia. Malaria infection by P. falciparum was found in 91.4% of malaria infected blacks. No significant differences were found between the presence of malaria infection and ABO antigens. In the other blood groups, it was observed that groups MNSs conferred black people a greater Rr for malaria by both species of Plasmodium and that Duffy-negative blacks and indians appeared to be resistant to P. vivax infection. A predominance of P. vivax infection was observed in Katio Indians while P. falciparum was predominant in Kuna Indians; the reason for this finding still needs to be explored.