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Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and malaria
1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|August 7, 1998
Summary
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency protects against severe malaria. This common genetic condition, affecting millions globally, offers a survival advantage in malaria-endemic regions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is vital for cellular oxidant stress defense.
- G6PD deficiency is the most prevalent human enzymopathy, impacting over 400 million people.
- Its global distribution correlates with historical malaria endemicity, suggesting a role for natural selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of G6PD deficiency against malaria.
- To evaluate the association between G6PD deficiency variants and severe malaria risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro studies on Plasmodium falciparum growth in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes.
- Analysis of large case-control studies in East and West Africa.
- Epidemiological assessment of G6PD deficiency variants and malaria severity.
Main Results:
- In vitro studies show impaired P. falciparum growth in G6PD-deficient red blood cells.
- Large-scale African studies demonstrate a significant reduction in severe malaria risk for G6PD A- carriers (female heterozygotes and male hemizygotes).
Conclusions:
- G6PD deficiency, particularly the G6PD A- variant, confers significant protection against severe malaria in African populations.
- This finding supports the hypothesis of natural selection driven by malaria prevalence.
- Further research is needed to clarify the impact on G6PD-deficient female homozygotes.