The significance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in plasmodium falciparum malaria: A case study of patients visiting the Central Regional Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) is a cytoplasmic enzyme involved in the metabolism of glucose. It has been reported that G-6-PD deficiency confers protection against falciparum malaria. Contrary to this, other researchers have reported that the presence of G-6-PD-deficiencieny does not necessarily prevent individuals from developing malaria. Plasmodium falciparum malaria, sickle cell anaemia/ trait and G-6-PD status were assessed in a total of 142 patients (70 had malaria and 72 were non-malaria participants) who visited the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection was 98.6% m G-6-PD non deficient individuals, 1.4% in moderately deficient patients and 0% in G-6-PD severely deficient individuals. The prevalence value of malaria infection for the deficient patients (severe and moderate) was significantly (p= 0.005) lower than that for non deficient individuals. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that G-6-PD deficiency may play a role in the prevention of malaria and its development into a severe form. © IDOSI Publications, 2011.