What disease causes sickled red blood cells as an adaptation to malaria?

Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disorder that leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin, known as hemoglobin S. In individuals with this condition, red blood cells take on a characteristic crescent or sickle shape, especially under low oxygen conditions. This sickling of red blood cells provides a significant adaptive advantage in regions where malaria is prevalent.

The malaria parasite, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, relies on red blood cells to multiply. Sickle cells have a shorter lifespan and are more susceptible to destruction by the spleen. This means that the malaria parasite has fewer chances to reproduce in the host's blood, leading to a reduced risk of severe malaria complications. Consequently, individuals with sickle cell trait, who carry one copy of the sickle cell gene, have a selective advantage in malaria-endemic areas because they can withstand the disease better than those without the trait.

This evolutionary relationship is an example of balanced polymorphism, where the deleterious effects of sickle cell anemia are outweighed by the protective effect it offers against malaria in certain geographical locations. In contrast, other listed disorders like Hemophilia, Thalassemia, and Leukemia do not demonstrate this specific adaptive response to malaria, thus further solid