Prevalence of G6PD deficiency in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. Screening for this condition in HIV-infected patients from susceptible ethnic groups is recommended based on expert opinion. Here we determined the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and the occurrence of G6PD-related hemolytic events in a large cohort of patients.


METHODS
We identified all HIV-infected adults who presented as new patients at a single urban HIV clinic between 02/01/2007 and 01/31/2009. Demographic and laboratory data including G6PD results were collected. In addition, outpatient and inpatient medical records of G6PD deficient patients were reviewed for episodes of hemolytic anemia.


RESULTS
A total of 1172 patients were identified and G6PD testing was performed in 1110 (94.7%). Overall, 75 (6.8%) subjects had G6PD deficiency. Rates were higher among African Americans (68/699; 9.7%) and Hispanics (5/253; 2.0%). Only one non-Hispanic White subject had G6PD deficiency (1/153; 0.7%). At baseline, hemoglobin concentrations were similar among subjects with or without G6PD deficiency. Among patients with G6PD deficiency, 40 (53.3%) were prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or dapsone. During follow-up, five (6.7%) of these patients developed acute hemolytic anemia.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide strong clinical evidence for recommending G6PD testing in HIV-infected subjects from susceptible ethnic backgrounds.
Serpa
Jose A
JA
Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Thomas Street Health Center, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX 77030, United States. jaserpaa@bcm.edu
Villarreal-Williams
Erick
E
Giordano
Thomas P
TP
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013419:Sulfamethizole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D013419:Sulfamethizole; D014295:Trimethoprim; C029078:trimethoprim sulfamethizole; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides