Resistance to malaria is most commonly associated with which blood group?

Resistance to malaria is most commonly linked to the Duffy blood group. The Duffy antigens, located on the surface of red blood cells, play a crucial role in the invasion of erythrocytes by the malaria parasite, particularly Plasmodium vivax. Individuals with a specific genotype that lacks Duffy antigens (Duffy-negative individuals) are largely resistant to infections caused by P. vivax because the parasite is unable to enter their red blood cells.

In contrast, the other blood groups—A, B, and O—do not provide the same level of resistance to malaria. While certain genetic variations within these blood groups may confer some degree of protection against other pathogens, they do not significantly affect susceptibility to malaria. Thus, the unique relationship between the Duffy blood group and resistance to malaria illustrates the importance of genetic factors in disease susceptibility and the role of blood group antigens in host-pathogen interactions.