Moreover, considering that STING is involved in the defense against various pathogens like e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV, but weakens immunity against Plasmodium falciparum infections [43–45], one could speculate that HAQ TMEM173/STING carriage might predispose individuals towards several bacterial and viral infections, while at the same time potentially conferring protection against Malaria. The gene discussed is STING1; the disease is malaria.