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July 16, 2008 : Malaria gene 'increases HIV risk'
A gene which apparently evolved to protect people from malaria increases their vulnerability to HIV infection by 40%, say US and UK scientists.
People of African descent have a variation of the "DARC" gene which may interfere with their ability to fight HIV in its early stages.
The Cell Host and Microbe study says the gene accounts for millions of extra HIV cases in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, people with the gene appear to live longer with HIV than others.
Research at University College London and the University of Texas focused on the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) gene.
BBC
