This study, conducted by the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control of Cambodia's Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will explore whether the following factors confer protection against malaria and associated anemia: certain blood groups, the hemoglobin E variant, G6PD-deficiency and alpha-thalassemia. Malaria is caused by parasites (P. falciparum and P. vivax) that are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. This protocol includes two studies, a cohort study and a P. vivax collection study.

Individuals are eligible for enrollment in the studies as follows:

Cohort study:

Residents of all ages of Kandal, Ekapheap and Sangkumthmey villages (Thmar Da commune) who plan to remain in Thmar Da commune for the next 5 years.

P. vivax collection study:

2 years of age and older

Participating in NIAID protocol 05-I- N210 ( Severe Malaria and Anti-malarial Drug Resistance in Cambodia ) and diagnosed with P. vivax malaria

Participants undergo the following procedures:

Cohort study:

Baseline evaluation, including the following:

• Collection of demographic information
• Malaria history, temperature measurement and review of current symptoms, if any
• Blood draw of 300 microliters
• Additional blood draw of 10 milliliters in selected adults 18 years of age and older

Treatment with artesunate-piperaquine at a commune health post for subjects who develop malaria

Contact once a year for 5 years to determine continued residency in Thmar Da commune

P. vivax collection study:

• Medical history and physical examination
• Hemoglobin level measurement
• Blood draw
• Treatment with chloroquine
• Blood draw 3 to 5 weeks after treatment in some patients 18 years of age or older

Cohort study. Hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms that give rise to HbE, alpha-thalassemia, G6PD-deficiency, and ABO blood groups occur at high frequency along the Thailand-Cambodia border, where Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum have been and continue to be transmitted. To determine whether these Hb/RBC polymorphisms have been naturally selected because they confer protection against malaria and malaria-associated anemia, we will conduct a cohort study of ethnic Khmer in Cambodia. Approximately 1000 individuals of all ages will be genotyped for the four polymorphisms listed above and then followed for 5 years to determine the mean incidence rates for both P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria, stratified by genotype. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) will be calculated for each polymorphism relative to the wildtype genotype. Differences between Hb levels during acute episodes of malaria and Hb levels at baseline will also be calculated to determine if Hb/RBC polymorphisms influence the degree of malaria-associated anemia.

P. vivax collection study. Unlike P. falciparum, P. vivax cannot be efficiently cultivated in vitro. Improved cultivation methods are needed to make progress on nearly all aspects of P. vivax malariology, including pathogenesis, naturally-acquired immunity, vaccination, and antimalarial drug resistance. We plan to improve both short- and long-term cultivation methods in order to test various hypotheses of P. vivax pathogenesis and protection. Using freshly obtained parasite isolates from individuals with P. vivax malaria, we will test whether Hb/RBC polymorphisms influence potentially pathogenic properties of P. vivax parasites, such as their ability to bind non-infected RBCs and other host cells. It is believed that P. vivax selectively invades reticutocytes. This tropism has frustrated attempts at long-term cultivation of this parasite, which requires a constant source of reticulocyte-rich blood not easily obtained even in developed countries. The host reticulocyte receptor that mediates the highly selective tropism of P. vivax has not been identified. Fresh P. vivax parasites will also be used in in vitro experiments to identify the putative receptor that defines reticulocyte tropism. Any P. vivax ligand that bound selectively to a reticulocyte receptor will then be discovered and worked up as a promising vaccine candidate.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA: (Cohort Study)

Resident of Kandal, Ekapheap, and Sangkumthmey villages (Thmar Da commune), and no plans to leave the Thmar Da commune for the next 5 years.

Willingness to participate in the study as evidenced by informed consent of subjects or his/her parent or guardian, and willingness to come to commune health posts if he/she develops fever or other symptoms of malaria.

Individuals of all ages will be enrolled.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (Cohort Study)

Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would render the subject unable to comply with the protocol (e.g., psychiatric disease).

Any health condition that in the opinion of the investigator would confound data analysis or pose unnecessary exposure risks to study personnel (e.g., individuals who are known to be HIV-infected or to have AIDS).

INCLUSION CRITERIA: (P. vivax Collection Study)

Individuals being screened on protocol #05-I-N210 who are found to have isolated P. vivax parasitemia.

Willingness to participate in the study as evidenced by informed consent of subjects or his/her parent or guardian.

Individuals aged greater than or equal to 2 years will be enrolled.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (P. vivax Collection Study)

Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would render the subject unable to comply with the protocol (e.g., psychiatric disease).

Any health condition that in the opinion of the investigator would confound data analysis or pose unnecessary exposure risks to study personnel (e.g., individuals who are known to be HIV-infected or to have AIDS).