GSTM1 and anemia (phenotype): However findings by Fowkes et al. [48] assert that a lower concentration of Hb per erythrocyte and a larger population of erythrocytes may be a biologically advantageous strategy against the significant reduction in erythrocyte count that occurs during acute infection with Plasmodium falciparum and may reduce the risk of anaemia by other Plasmodium species, as well as other causes of anaemia.