Patients has G6PD deficiency often have an increased susceptibility to infection, which in turn may precipitate a hemolytic episode. What is the most likely underlying mechanism for the increased risk of infection?
Correct Answer: Decreased amount of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in the white blood cells
Description: Acute hemolytic episodes in patients with glucose 6phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are most commonly precipitated by infection. Increased susceptibility to infection in these patients is related to a decrease in reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) synthesis in neurophil s and monocytes. NADPH is an essential component of the oxygen-dependent myeloperoxidase system, an impoant means of eliminating bacteria. NADPH acts with NADPH oxidase to conve molecular oxygen into a superoxide free radical, generating the respiratory burst responsible for the destruction of bacteria. Absence of NADPH, as a result of G6PD deficiency, interferes with this impoant bactericidal mechanism, thus rendering the patient susceptible to infection.
Category:
Pathology
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