Spleen size determined by ultrasound in patients with sickle cell trait, HbAC trait and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency in a malaria hyperendemic area (Ashanti Region, Ghana)

The occurrence of enlarged spleens and its age distribution has long been u sed as a crude measure to estimate malaria endemicity in cross-sectional su rveys. Spleen size, however, is influenced by several variables that should be considered if they are observed in a population under study. We hypothe sized that spleen indices are dependent on distinct red blood cell polymorp hisms. Accordingly, we expected a lower prevalence of splenomegaly among pa tients with the sickle-cell trait (HbAS), HbAC trait and GOD deficiency tha n in patients without red cell disorders, possibly due to the lower inciden ce of malaria attacks in these individuals. In our survey, however, spleen rates and sizes did not differ significantly between HbAA-, HbAS- and HbAC- positive individuals. Furthermore, enlargement of spleens was found at simi lar frequencies in persons with and without glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogena se (G6PD)-deficiency (G6PD-A(-)). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.