Background: Primaquine (PQ) is the only licensed drug effective against P. vivax for specific hypnozoites and as a key drug in the malaria elimination stage. However, PQ can cause severe haemolysis in Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals. Recently. Unfortunately, few epidemiological data of these disorders was reported in Indonesia. This study aimed to assesses the prevalence and genotyping varian of G6PD deficiency among the people on malaria endemic eastern Indonesia.

Methods: Blood samples from 555 unrelated subjects in eastern Indonesia were analyzed for G6PD deficiency by quantitative test and PCR-RFLP-DNA sequencing. All protocols followed respective manufacture’s instructions by Promega, Madison, USA.

Results: The prevalence of malaria and anemia was 32.6% (181/555) and 16% (89/555) with P. vivax dominant species 52.5% (95/181), respectively. Overall, 16.6% (92/555) subjects were G6PD deficient, including 58.7% (54/92) females and 41.3% (38/92). Among the 92 cases G6PD deficient molecularly studied, the variant Vanua Lava (T10883C) were detect dominant and unknown G6PD deficient (T13154C) in 3 cases.

Conclusions: High G6PD deficient in eastern Indonesia indicate that diagnosis and management of G6PD deficient is necessary. Obligatory anti-malaria doses for G6PD deficient individuals, newborn and prenatal screening, are needed on the endemic malaria in Indonesia.

Key words: G6PD deficient, Vanua Lava, severe anemia, malaria elimination.