Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency genotypes and allele frequencies in the Kavango and Zambezi regions of northern Namibia

Daniel H. Haiyambo, Alex Ilunga, Ruth Nangombe, Grace Ababio, Toini Hatuikulipi, Larysa Aleksenko, Jane Misihairabgwi, Petrina Uusiku, Jeffrey M. Pernica, Beatrice Greco, Isaac K. Quaye

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Abstract

Background: Namibia has made significant gains in the fight against malaria, with a target of elimination by 2023. We examined the genotype and allele frequencies of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency to inform decisions on primaquine use, as we recently detected clusters of Plasmodium ovale curtisi in Kavango. Methods: A multistaged cross-sectional sampling method was used to enrol 212 children 2-9 y of age from schools and clinics in the Okavango and Zambezi regions of northern Namibia. Genotypes for the 202 G→A and 376 A→G mutations were assigned by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Of the 212 subjects enrolled, genotypes were available for 210, made up of 61 males and 149 females. G6PD-deficient males (hemizygotes) and females (homozygotes) constituted 3.27% (2/61) and 0.0% (0/149), respectively. Female heterozygotes (AA- and BA-) constituted 10.07% (15/149), while G6PD wild-type males (with A or B haplotype) and females (with AA, BB or AB haplotypes) consisted of 96.72% (59/61) and 89.93% (134/149), respectively. The A-, A and B allele frequencies were 0.0474, 0.3036 and 0.6490, respectively. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests for female genotype frequencies did not show deviation (p=0.29). Conclusions: The frequency of G6PD deficiency alleles in males in the Kavango and Zambezi regions of northern Namibia constitute 3.27%, a first report to inform policy on primaquine role out.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbertrz035
Pages (from-to)483-488
Number of pages6
JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume113
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2019

Keywords

  • G6PDd alleles
  • Kavango
  • Namibia
  • Zambezi
  • genotypes
  • primaquine

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