This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Haematology, Subject name: Pathology
All of the following red cell abnormality provides protection against malaria Except 
Select and explain. 
A. G6PD deficiency, B. Thalassemia, C. Sickle cell anaemia, D. Acanthocytosis
D: Acanthocytosis
Answer: D: Acanthocytosis 
Explanation: Acanthocytes have coarse, weirdly spaced, variably sized crenations, resembling many-pointed stars. They are seen on blood films in, among others abetalipoproteinemia, liver disease, chorea acanthocytosis, McLeod syndrome, and several inherited neurological and other disorders, such as neuroacanthocytosis, anorexia nervosa, infantile pyknocytosis, hypothyroidism, idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, alcoholism, congestive splenomegaly, Zieve syndrome, and chronic granulomatous disease The presence of HbS in severe malaria patients is associated with less hemolysis and reduced levels of free heme any studies have described an association between the heterozygote HbAS and protection against malaria, with more than 90% protection against severe forms Ref Robbins 9/e pg 411