Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants in three minority ethnic groups in central and northern Vietnam.

Community-based surveys for the detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydogenase (G6PD) deficiency were conducted at three villages in central and northern Vietnam from 2001 to 2006. A total of 799 male individuals belonging to three ethnic groups (Raglai, Pako, and Khomu) were tested for G6PD enzyme activity and 32 G6PD deficient individuals were detected. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Raglai, Pako, and Khomu was 2.1% (9⁄438), 7.7% (16⁄208), and 4.6% (7⁄153), respectively. In Raglai, G6PD Viangchan was found to be dominant (8⁄9, 88.9%), followed by G6PD Canton (1⁄9, 11.1%). In Pako, a total of 16 G6PD deficient cases showed G6PD Viangchan variant. All analyzed samples (7⁄7, 100%) showed the G6PD Union variant in the Khomu ethnic group. Our study suggests that the Raglai and Pako people share a common ancestry with Cambodians, Laotians, and Thais. On the other hand, the appearance of G6PD Union among Khomu people suggests that they originate from a different ancestry.