In this study, the mRNA expression of hemoglobin subunit alpha (HBA), hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB), thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), platelet glycoprotein Ib beta chain (GP1BB) genes involved in malaria and platelet activation pathways were significantly downregulated in the spleen after the virulent DY197 infection. Here, HBB is linked to infection.