Which Duffy phenotype demonstrates resistance to Plasmodium vivax?

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Multiple Choice

Which Duffy phenotype demonstrates resistance to Plasmodium vivax?

Explanation:
The key idea is that Plasmodium vivax uses the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) on red blood cells to gain entry. The Fy(a-b-) phenotype means no Duffy antigen is expressed on the erythrocyte surface. Without DARC, P. vivax cannot attach and invade the cells, so individuals with this phenotype are resistant to Pv malaria. In the other phenotypes, at least one Duffy antigen is present on red cells, providing the receptor Pv needs to invade, so those individuals remain susceptible.

The key idea is that Plasmodium vivax uses the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) on red blood cells to gain entry. The Fy(a-b-) phenotype means no Duffy antigen is expressed on the erythrocyte surface. Without DARC, P. vivax cannot attach and invade the cells, so individuals with this phenotype are resistant to Pv malaria. In the other phenotypes, at least one Duffy antigen is present on red cells, providing the receptor Pv needs to invade, so those individuals remain susceptible.

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