High frequency of atypical pseudocholinesterase gene among Iraqi and Iranian Jews*

A large scale survey of the frequency of atypical pseudocholinesterase was carried out in a sample of 9,500 Jewish males in Israel. A very high frequency of the Eja gene, exceeding that reported for any other population so far studied, has been found among Iraqi and Iranian Jews (gene frequencies 0.047 and 0.075, heterozygotes frequencies 8.9 % and 11.3 %). Carriers of the Ejf gene were found among Ashkenazi (European Jews) as well as among non-Ashkenazi Jews from Iraq, Yemen and North Africa. One case homozygous for E]S gene has been found among North African Jews.
In the whole sample 8 subjects of phenotype A (frequency 1 : 1188), 8 of phenotype AF (frequency 1 :1188) and 1 with phenotype S were found. Among their family members we found additional cases with phenotypes A and AF, as well as 1 subject with phenotype F. Since these phenotypes are known to be sensitive to suxamethonium, these subjects were advised to avoid suxamethonium administration.