Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Glucose-6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Brahmins and Muslims of Manipur, India

G6PD deficiency offers protection against malaria infection and is strongly associated with the distribution of malaria endemicity. Genetic studies, including those of inherited blood disorders at the molecular levels, are very limited in northeastern India including Manipur. The present study aims to determine the prevalence and its molecular characterization of G6PD deficiency among the Brahmins and the Muslims of Manipur. A total of 263 unrelated blood samples (127 Brahmins and 136 Muslims) was screened for G6PD deficiency using Fluorescent Spot Test. DNA was extracted using salting out method and for molecular analysis, PCR was done using 3 most common Indian mutations (G6PD Mediterranean, G6PD Odisha, and G6PD Kerala & Kalyan) and 4 most common Southeast Asian mutations (G6PD Canton, G6PD Kaiping, G6PD Mahidol and G6PD Union). A higher prevalence frequency of 21.32% of G6PD deficient individuals was found among the Muslims as against the Brahmins with 9.45%. Out of the 7 mutations screened for G6PD that are common to Indian populations, only 4 Brahmins are found to have one each of these mutations. The 4 mutations found among the Brahmins were one G6PD Mediterranean, one G6PD Kerala & Kalyan, and two G6PD Mahidol. The Muslim population with a relatively higher frequency of G6PD deficiency as compared to Brahmin population needs special attention by health planners specifically while administering anti-malarial drugs.