Participants' characteristics.

UMA = uncomplicated malaria group; AC = asymptomatic carrier group; ACHP = asymptomatic carrier subgroup with high parasitemia; ACLP = asymptomatic carrier subgroup with low parasitemia; RBC = red blood cells. *Significant age difference between UMA, AC and uninfected groups (Anova, p<0.0001). **No significant gender difference in the groups (Chi2, p = 0.513). ***No significant difference between groups (Chi2, p = 0.25). ****The Hbb AS genotype was significantly less frequent in the UMA group than the group of individuals free of clinical malaria (Chi2, p = 0.049). †Excludes the uninfected group (33 individuals).