295273
Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the ouest and sud-est departments of Haiti
Will Eaton,
Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Meer Alam,
Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Tamar Carter,
Department of Anthropology, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, Gainesville, FL
Bernard Okech, PhD,
Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals are at risk of developing drug-induced acute hemolysis, after exposure to the antimalarial drug, primaquine (PQ). Recently single dose PQ was added to the Haitian national malaria treatment policy, despite a lack of information on G6PD prevalence rates within the population. The present study examined G6PD deficiency in communities and clinics in the Ouest and Sud Est departments of Haiti. G6PD deficiency was assessed by a quantitative assay that measured G6PD enzyme activty. 1,007 participants (605 females and 402 males) were screened out of which 17.9% (180/1,007) were found to be G6PD deficient (<4.6 U/g Hgb) and 7.5% (71/1,007) were categorized as severely deficient (<1.7 U/g Hgb). Findings suggest significant differences in prevalence by site of enrollment. Reconsideration of a country wide PQ policy may be necessary until clearer guidelines are created to identify and manage malaria in G6PD deficient patients in Haiti.
Learning Areas:
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Epidemiology
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Describe the epidemiology of G6PD enzyme deficiency in Haiti, in order to discuss the appropriateness of current malaria treatment guidelines regarding the transmission blocking drug, primaquine.
Keyword(s): Drug Safety, Policy/Policy Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved with every stage of project development and implementation as project manager on the ground in Haiti and in the lab at the Emerging Pathogens Institute. I have previously presented and spoken at multiple conferences regarding this topic and feel well equipped to answer any questions related to the project or our findings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
