[Association of methemoglobinemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in malaria patients treated with primaquine]

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2007 Sep-Oct;40(5):533-6. doi: 10.1590/s0037-86822007000500008.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

This study had the aim of investigating occurrences of methemoglobinemia among individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency during treatment for malaria infection using primaquine. Patients with a diagnosis of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax or the V+F mixture (Plasmodium vivax + Plasmodium falciparum) were selected. Group 1 consisted of 74 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of methemoglobinemia and Group 2 consisted of 161 individuals without a clinical diagnosis of methemoglobinemia. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency rates (numbers of enzymopenic individuals) in Groups 1 and 2 were 51.3% (38) and 8.7% (14) respectively. These data demonstrated a statistically significant association with methemoglobinemia only among the individuals in Group 1 (p<0.05). Investigation of the relationship between methemoglobinemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency showed that there was a possible association such that enzymopenic individuals may develop methemoglobinemia more frequently.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects*
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / complications*
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / enzymology
  • Malaria, Vivax / drug therapy*
  • Malaria, Vivax / enzymology
  • Male
  • Methemoglobinemia / chemically induced*
  • Methemoglobinemia / complications
  • Methemoglobinemia / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Primaquine / adverse effects*
  • Primaquine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Primaquine