Nature of Hemolytic Crises and the Fate of G6PD Deficient, Drug-Damaged Erythrocytes in Sardinians

Abstract

THE deficiency of G6PD in the red cells is a congenital, X-linked metabolic defect characteristic of red cells that undergo rapid destruction as a result of the administration of several drugs,1 infections2 and ingestion of fava beans.3 It has been calculated that some 100,000,000 people in the world may have this trait, although some populations are more affected than others. American and African Negroes,4 non-Ashkenazi Jews,5 Greeks,6 Egyptians7 and, among Italians, the inhabitants of Sardinia are highly affected by this inborn error of red-cell metabolism. As compared with Northern Italians, who show a very low prevalence of G6PD deficiency, and . . .