Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
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Associations between COVID-19 and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in Brazil

Maria Gabriela de Almeida Rodrigues1,2, Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro1,2, Gisely Cardoso de Melo1,2

  • 1Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|April 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) did not increase COVID-19 severity. Testing for G6PDd during acute COVID-19 illness may be unreliable, requiring careful interpretation of results.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) was hypothesized to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19.
  • G6PDd affects red blood cells and is common globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between G6PDd and COVID-19 severity.
  • To evaluate G6PD activity during and after COVID-19 illness.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 753 adult COVID-19 patients.
  • Measured G6PD activity on admission and 1 year post-discharge.
  • Genotyped for common G6PDd single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Main Results:

  • 16.3% of patients had G6PD deficiency.
  • No significant difference in hospitalization or mechanical ventilation risk between G6PD deficient and non-deficient groups.
  • Higher risk of death observed in patients with normal G6PD levels (P=0.022).
  • Significant discordance in G6PD deficiency test results between acute illness and 1 year post-discharge.

Conclusions:

  • G6PDd is not associated with increased COVID-19 severity.
  • G6PD testing during acute COVID-19 may yield inaccurate results.
  • Care is advised when screening for G6PDd in patients with acute COVID-19.

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