Molecular epidemiology and activity of erythrocyte G6PD variants in a homogeneous Nigerian population
Ademowo, O.G.; Falusi, A.G.
East African Medical Journal 79(1): 42-44
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 12380870 Document Number: 548519
Objective: To determine accurately the relative frequencies and enzyme activities of the polymorphic variants of G6PD in a homogeneous population in Nigeria. Setting: Abanla village in the outskirt of Ibadan city and the University College Hospital, in Ibadan, Nigeria . Subject: 721 subjects who belong to the Yoruba tribe of Southwestern Nigeria. Method: Blood samples (2 ml) were withdrawn from each subject. G6PD activity was quantified by spectrophotometry. DNA was extracted for genotyping of G6PD by PCR. Results: G6PD deficiency was 23.9% and 4.6% in males and females respectively. The gene frequencies of the different G6PD variants (Gd) were in accordance with expected Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Only GdA-1 type was found in subjects with deficient variants. G6PD activity decreased significantly with age among non-deficient individuals. The range of enzyme activities was wide and overlapping among the different G6PD variants. Conclusion: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the population is very high. The gene frequencies are similar to previous findings. Molecular methods of typing G6PD allow for direct and accurate genotyping of the enzyme in both males and females without having to combine several methods.