Vol. 4, Issue 10, Part C (2018)

Abstract
Blood groups can play a direct role in infection by serving as receptors and/or coreceptors for microorganisms, parasites, and viruses. Several blood groups can modify the innate immune response to infection. Several distinct phenotypes associated with increased host resistance to malaria are overrepresented in populations living in areas where malaria is endemic, as a result of evolutionary pressures. Koraput is a malaria endemic area of the state of Odisha. Several researchers have studied the relationship between ABO blood types and malaria susceptibility but with contradictory results. However most of these studies are retrospective. Hence, Koraput being a new government medical college, the 1^st semester students, most of whom are not from this endemic region and stay under similar conditions, were followed for a year for development of malaria after determining their blood group. Out of 88 students who agreed to enroll for the study, 36 (40.9 %) had blood group B, 32(36.4%) had blood group O, 16 (18.2%) had blood group A and 4 (4.5%) were AB. 83(94.3%) were Rh positive and only 5(5.7%) were Rh negative. Out of those enrolled, 4 students were excluded from follow up as they were local students and suspected to be resistant to malaria. During a follow up period of one year, only 5 students developed malaria of which 2 were blood group B and 3 were blood group O.