Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in southeast Iran: implications for malaria elimination

Authors

  • Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
  • Alireza Salimi Khorashad Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
  • Mohammad Sakeni Sistan and Balouchestan Provincial Health Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
  • Ahmad Raeisi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Zahra Metanat Provincial Clinical Genetic Counseling Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.5572

Keywords:

glucosephosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Iran, malaria, prevalence

Abstract

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) is an X-linked genetic disorder with a relatively high frequency in malaria-endemic regions. It is an obstacle to malaria elimination, as primaquine administered in the treatment of malaria can cause hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals. This study presents information on the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Sistan and Balouchetsan province, which hosts more than 90% of Plasmodium vivax malaria cases in Iran. This type of information is needed for a successful malaria elimination program.

Methodology: A total of 526 students were randomly recruited through schools located in southeast Iran. Information was collected by interviewing the students using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples taken on filter papers were examined for G6PD deficiency using the fluorescent spot test.

Results: Overall, 72.8% (383/526) of the subjects showed normal G6PD enzyme function. Mild and severe G6PD deficiency was observed in 14.8% (78) and 12.2% (64) of subjects, respectively. A total 193/261 males (73.9%) and 190/265 (72%) females had normal enzyme activity. Mild G6PD deficiency was observed in 10.8% (28) and 18.9% (50) of male and female subjects, respectively. However, in comparison with females, a greater proportion of males showed severe enzyme deficiency (15.3% versus 9.1%). All these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.006).

Conclusions: G6PD deficiency is highly prevalent in southeast Iran. G6PD-deficient individuals are susceptible to potentially severe and life-threatening hemolytic reactions after primaquine treatment. In order to achieve malaria elimination goals in the province, G6PD testing needs to be made routinely available within the health system.

Author Biographies

Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Assistant Professor in Epidemiology

School of public Health

Zahedan Uinversity of Medical Science

Zahedan, I.R. of Iran

Alireza Salimi Khorashad, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Lecturer

Lab Sciecnes

Zahedan University of Medcial Sciences

Mohammad Sakeni, Sistan and Balouchestan Provincial Health Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Master of Epidemiology

Zahedna University of Medcial Sciences

Ahmad Raeisi, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Assistant professor of epidemiology

School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Zahra Metanat, Provincial Clinical Genetic Counseling Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

Genetic Counselor

Zahedan University of Medcial Sciences

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Published

2015-03-15

How to Cite

1.
Tabatabaei SM, Salimi Khorashad A, Sakeni M, Raeisi A, Metanat Z (2015) Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in southeast Iran: implications for malaria elimination. J Infect Dev Ctries 9:289–297. doi: 10.3855/jidc.5572

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Section

Original Articles