THBS1 and infection: 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.