A Preliminary Survey for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Haemoglobin S in Ethiopia.

摘要

A total of 1,261 people from eight different Ethiopian tribes were tested for G-6-PD deficiency, a genetic defect which causes haemolysis if aspirin, sulphonamides or the 8-aminoquinoline group of antimalarials are given. The Anuak and Nuer tribes who reside in the Southwestern lowlands of Ethiopia had G-6-PD deficiencies of 1.4 and 6.7 percent respectively. Three of 48 Afars residing in the Danakil depression were G-6-PD deficient in this tribe but the number tested is too small to accurately establish the frequency of G-6-PD deficiency. None of highland Ethiopian proples tested from the Amhara, Tigre, Gurage, Galla, and Agew tribes were G-6-PD deficient. A total of 775 people from the above-mentioned tribes tested for G-6-PD deficiency were also tested for scikle cell haemoglobin. Only one case of sickle cell trait was found which indicates this haemoglobin appears to be extremely rare in Ethiopia. (Author)