frequency of Hb S and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase phenotypes in relation to malaria in western Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 6265 Saudi males and females living in six different areas i.e. Yanbu, Makkah, AI-Qunfuda, Bisha, AI-Baha and Jaizan, in western Saudi Arabia. It was conceived to determine and relate the frequency of Hb S and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6-PD] deficiency phenotypes in the different areas and to relate them to malaria endemicity. The sickle cell gene was encountered in each of the areas investigated at frequencies ranging from 0.015 in Yanbu to 0.115 in AI-Qunfuda. The normal G-6-PD in each region was G-6-PD-B+, and variants identified included G-6-PD-A+, G-6-PD-A-, G-6-PD-Mediterranean and G-6-PD-Weak. Severe G-6-PD deficiency was encountered in each region and was caused mainly by G-6-PD-Mediterranean at frequencies ranging from 0.0179 to 0.204 in the male population and 0.0064 to 0.1158 in the female population. This paper shows significant differences in the frequencies of G-6-PD phenotypes and Hb S genes within malaria endemic regions