Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Egypt: With a Note on the Methemoglobin Reduction Test

Six hundred and fifty Egyptian males were screened for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The ascorbate-cyanide test and methemoglobin reduction test were used. An incidence of 4.9 per cent G6PD deficiency was found, in contrast to the previously reported incidence of 26.4 per cent. Good agreement was found between the ascorbate-cyanide test and methemoglobin reduction test. Unreliable results were obtained when previously prepared air-dried reagent tubes (modified methemoglobin reduction test) were used.