G6PD deficiency prevalence and estimates of affected populations in malaria endemic countries: a geostatistical model-based map.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Primaquine is a key drug for malaria elimination. In addition to being the only drug active against the dormant relapsing forms of Plasmodium vivax, primaquine is the sole effective treatment of infectious P. falciparum gametocytes, and may interrupt transmission and help contain the spread of artemisinin resistance. However, primaquine can trigger haemolysis in patients with a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDd). Poor information is available about the distribution of individuals at risk of primaquine-induced haemolysis. We present a continuous evidence-based prevalence map of G6PDd and estimates of affected populations, together with a national index of relative haemolytic risk.

Methods and findings

Representative community surveys of phenoty

SUBMITTER: Howes RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3496665 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature