Prevalence of G6PD Deficiency and Distribution of Its Genetic Variants Among Malaria-Suspected Patients Visiting Metehara Health Center, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract Background Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is cytosolic enzyme which has a vital role for the integrity and functioning of red blood cells. Lower activity of this enzyme leads to the occurrence of acute hemolytic anemia after exposure to oxidative stressors like primaquine. Primaquine is an important drug for the radical cure of plasmodium vivax and blocking transmission of Plasmodium falciparum thereby enhancing malaria elimination. However, there is a need to distinguish G6PD deficient individuals and administer the drug with special care due to its hemolytic side effects. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among malaria-suspected individuals. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021 in Metehara Health Center, Eastern Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical information of the study participants. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected based on standard procedures for onsite screening tests, DBS preparation and malaria microscopy. The G6PD enzyme activity was measured by careSTARTTM POCT S1. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. Results A total of 498 study participants were included in the study, of which 62% (309) were males. The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency based on the biosensor screening was 3.6% (18/498). Eleven of the G6PD deficient samples had mutations confirmed by gene sequencing analysis. Mutations were detected in G267+119C/T, A376T, and ChrX: 154535443 target genes. A significant association was found between sex and history of previous malaria infection with G6PD deficiency. Conclusions The study has shown that the G6PD deficient phenotype exists in Metehara even if the prevalence is not very high. G267+119C/T mutation is the predominant G6PD variant reported. Therefore, malaria patient treatment using primaquine should be closely followed up for any adverse effects.