The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of KIR genes, KIR genotypes and KIR-HLA pair combinations in a population naturally exposed to malaria from Brazilian Amazon.
The presence or absence of fifteen different KIR genes was determined in each individual and the proportions compared across 3 clinical groups; asymptomatic malaria, uncomplicated clinical malaria and severe clinical malaria.
Given these references, the aim of this study was to determine the association between KIR gene content polymorphism and PM infection in pregnant women of known HIV-1 status.
These findings are consistent with a probable role of KIR genes in determining susceptibility to malaria, and further studies are warranted in different populations.
In conclusion our data indicates KIR gene loci differentially influenced malaria outcome in Tea tribes and Tibeto-Burman and that four activating genes appeared to provide optimal activation that protected from frequent episodes of malaria.
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first KIR investigation of the malaria-infected population, which strengthened the potential associations of KIR with malaria pathogenesis.