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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins University

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Prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Gametocytemia in a Pre-Elimination, Low Malaria Transmission Setting in Southern Zambia
Kobayashi, Tamaki , Kurani, Shaheen , Hamapumbu, Harry, Stevenson, Jennifer C. , Thuma, Philip E. , Moss, William J. , _, _, _, _

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | January 5, 2021 | Volume: 104 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 1000-1002

10.4269/ajtmh.20-1187 Get It

ABSTRACTThe WHO recommends single low-dose (SLD) primaquine as a gametocytocide to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in areas of low transmission. Despite this recommendation, uptake of SLD primaquine has been low because of concerns of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Individuals with G6PD deficiency can experience hemolysis when exposed to primaquine. In Southern Province, Zambia, malaria transmission has declined significantly over the past decade. Single low-dose primaquine may be an effective tool, but there is limited information on G6PD deficiency. We screened 137 residents in Macha, Southern Province, Zambia, and the prevalence of G6PD (A−) was 15%. We also revisited data collected from 2008 to 2013 in the same area and found the highest gametocyte burden among those aged 5–15 years. The findings from this study suggest that SLD primaquine targeted to school-aged children may be an effective tool to help achieve malaria elimination in southern Zambia.