The way in which the SAO defect infers protection is still unknown. The findings suggest that P. vivax may have contributed to unique host-parasite adaptations in the region.
Publication
Rosanas-Urgell et al. Reduced Risk of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Papua New Guinean Children with Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis in Two Cohorts and a Case-Control Study. PLoS Med. 2012;9(9):e1001305. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001305. Epub 2012 Sep 4.
