An assessment of acetylator polymorphism and its relevance in Papua New Guinea.

A number of clinically useful drugs such as isoniazid, sulphonamides, procainamide and dapsone are rapidly inactivated and eliminated metabolically by an acetyltransferase enzyme. The rate of elimination of these drugs is dependent upon the level of enzymatic activity, which is known to be genetically determined and exhibits ethnic and geographical variation. The study of acetylation polymorphism therefore is important especially in view of its effect on drug efficacy and toxicity. Limited information is available on the acetylation status of Papua New Guineans. Studies conducted so far have revealed an unusually high frequency of the rapid acetylator phenotype (greater than 90%) in certain populations. This study confirms the previous observations and reviews the world-wide distribution pattern of acetylation polymorphism.