Surveys of Human Genetic Markers in Malaria Endemic Areas

Tribal Non-Tribal Bengaluru Human blood polymorphic systems are important biochemical markers in anthropological surveys especially in relation to disease distribution. G-6-PD deficiency and certain haemoglobinopathies are known to confer a selective advantage to the subjects against falciparum malaria. However, certain antimalarials such as primaquine and other 8-aminoquinolines increase the oxidant stress in G-6-PD deficient individuals resulting in haemolytic crisis which can be fatal if not checked in time. Therefore, information on the frequency and distribution of these variants would help in the administration of proper drugs. Haemoglobinopathies and G-6-PD Deficiency Studies carried out by us on mapping of these disorders in various tribal/non-tribal groups living in malarious areas of the country have shown variable frequencies of G-6-PD deficiency (0–17.6%) among tribals of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Similarly frequencies for sickle-cell haemoglobin (HbAS) ranged from 0 to 18.9% in various tribal groups and HbE (16.5%) was observed only among tribals of Assam. Fig. 101 shows the areas from where population samples have been screened and frequencies of G-6-PD deficiency, carriers of sickle-