Background

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It is believed that the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in different ethnic populations increases its association with other pathological conditions especially sickle cell anemia (SCA), as they both are well-known adaptations against malaria. Thus, the present study aims to determine the frequency of G6PD deficiency among SCA patients and the association between them in the tribal community (Gond) of Chhattisgarh, India.

Method

A total of 810 samples from three different age groups i.e., 10–20, 21–30, and 31–40 years were collected from the tribal community (Gond) of Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh. The frequency of SCA was determined by a slide test followed by cellulose acetate paper electrophoresis and G6PD deficiency by methemoglobin reduction test. Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) gene polymorphism in sickle celled individuals and variant analysis in G6PD deficient individuals were analyzed by RT-PCR.

Results

The frequency of SCA and G6PD deficiency was reported at 9.75% and 17.16% respectively and a high degree of positive correlation between SCA and G6PD deficiency was also found (HbSS-G6PD deficient: r = 0.84, p = .356; HbAS-G6PD deficient: r = 0.89, p = .345). Results of the GST gene revealed that GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes are present in almost all sickled individuals while GSTP1 and GSTP1a exist in the mutated form in a maximum percentage of individuals. G6PD variant analysis also showed that 70% and 60% of individuals have mutated Mahidol and Union variants respectively, while none of the individuals have mutated Chinese variants.

Conclusion

A high degree of correlation between SCA and G6PD was reported among Gond tribes of Chhattisgarh, India with a high degree of mutated GSTP1, GSTP1a, Mahidol, and Union variants. The study makes it possible to take specific preventive measures concerning the medication of anti-oxidizing drugs.