Some aspects of erythrocyte Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenose deficiency in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

The glucose-6-phoshate dehydrogenose (G6PD) activity of erythrocyte samples in Trinidad was investigated, using the Motulsky cresyl blue decolourization test. Of 91 specimens taken from normal negroes, 12.1 percent showed absent enzyme activity and of 71 specimens from East Indians, 7 percent showed the same deficiency. As was to be expected (G6PD) deficiency being inherited as a sex linked character) in both groups there was a preponderance of males having the enzyme defected. Three out of thirteen (23.1 percent) of children with severe cerebral palsy and five out of twenty-seven (18.5 percent) of mentally defective children were found to be G6PD deficient as compared with 12.1 percent of normal controls. The role of virus infection in precipitating hemolytic episodes in people with G6PD deficiency was investigated. G6PD deficient and normal erythrocytes were incubated for 60 minutes with a standard dose (approx. 3,000 PFU) of VEE virus and were then stained for Heinz bodies. Whereas Heinz body counts of 0.5 percent or less were found in samples of normal erythrocytes, levels of 1.5 percent or more were found in erythrocytes with G6PD deficiency. Erythrocyte G6PD deficiency is then shown to be present in Trinidad (more frequently in the negro population than in East Indian); the percentage of negroes with this enzyme deficiency is close to that reported from the U.S.A. It is suggested that this enzyme deficiency may play a part in the aetiology of cerebral palsy and that virus infections may be concerned in the precipitation of hemolytic episodes (AU)