Influence of ABO/Rh Blood Group, Hemoglobin Type and Hemogram on Malaria Infestation in the Commune of Parakou in Benin

Background: In Benin, malaria is the leading cause of consultation and hospitalization in health services, as well as the leading cause of death. Strategies that are still effective in combating this disease mainly focus on the use of chemical insecticides to eliminate Anopheles mosquitoes. Unfortunately, these strategies are hampered by the considerable increase in the resistance of Anopheles mosquitoes. Improving the management of this disease would therefore be an effective complementary strategy to reduce its impact. Studies have shown that ABO/Rh blood group and hemoglobin type can influence malaria infection. With this in mind, this study aims to evaluate the impact of ABO/Rh blood group, hemoglobin type, and blood count on malaria infection in the municipality of Parakou in Benin. Methodology: Blood samples from malaria patients (N = 154) were collected in three health centers in the municipality of Parakou and transported to the National Blood Transfusion Agency for ABO-Rhesus blood group determination, hemoglobin typing, and blood count. Results: Analysis of the biomedical data obtained showed that children under 5 years of age were the most exposed, with 98.05% of patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum and 1.95% with Plasmodium malariae. Taking genetic factors into account, the majority (33.77%) were blood group B⁺, and more than three-quarters of the population (79.81%) had hemoglobin AA. Similarly, patients with blood type O⁺ and who are AS heterozygotes had a low parasite density. A significant association was observed between white blood cell count and hemoglobin type (p = 0.012). Conclusion: It is important to differentiate malaria patients according to blood group, sickle cell trait, and blood count. The results of this study show that there are patients who, depending on their blood group and/or sickle cell trait, may have a weak response to malaria infection.