Cassava Consumption and Biological Adaptation to Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Man, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The biological adaptation of the human organism to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection could be attributable to its endogenous biological potential and to the action of bio-environmental elements. The influence of exogenous biochemical activators, in particular the intake of micronutrients with immune potential, on the protection of the human body from malaria infection is far from being sufficiently studied. The present study examines the effect of varying cassava consumption frequency on biological adaptation to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection. The study involved 83 women and 80 men, aged between 5 and 70 years, living in Man (Côte d’Ivoire) and admitted for consultations at the regional hospital. The frequency of manioc ingestion was assessed using a 14-item food frequency questionnaire administered face-to-face. Biological adaptation was measured using blood smear and thick blood smear results. The results of Fisher's test show that populations with a high frequency of cassava consumption have a lower proportion of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections than their counterparts with a low frequency of cassava consumption. Cassava consumption therefore improves the individual's biological adaptation, i.e. the protective protein-immune system, to Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection.