A 26-year-old woman treated successfully for vivax malaria is being considered for radical cure. Before prescribing the 14-day primaquine regimen, which test should be performed first?
- A Liver function tests including bilirubin
- B Repeat peripheral smear for gametocytes
- C G6PD enzyme assay ✓
- D Reticulocyte count
Correct answer: C. G6PD enzyme assay
Explanation
Primaquine causes haemolysis in individuals deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, so G6PD status must be checked before giving the 14-day 0.25 mg/kg daily regimen used for vivax radical cure against hepatic hypnozoites. Gametocytes are irrelevant here since vivax gametocytes circulate early and are not the target. Liver enzymes and reticulocyte counts may be monitored during therapy but do not predict primaquine-induced haemolysis, which is determined by G6PD deficiency.
Reference: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme Guidelines, Malaria Treatment Guidelines 2013 ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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