Hemoglobin E levels in double heterozygotes of hemoglobin E and SEA-type alpha-thalassemia.

Abstract

Coinheritance of alpha-thalassemia and hemoglobin E (Hb E) is prevalent in Thailand, where the gene frequencies of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies are high. Hb E carriers with, concomitant inheritance of alpha-thalassemia 1 are known to have a lower level of Hb E. In this study, we reviewed the Hb E levels in Hb E carriers, who either had or did not have Southeast Asian (SEA)-type alpha-thalassemia, in order to seek a Hb E level that may be used as a predictor for concomitant alpha-thalassemia carrier status. The Hb E levels as measured by microcolumn chromatography in 844 Hb E carriers detected during a prenatal screening program for severe thalassemia at Chiang Mai University Hospital were reviewed. Hb E levels ranged from 12.3-35.0% (23.3 +/- 3.1%) in 751 Hb E carriers without SEA-type alpha-thalassemia and from 11.6-32.0% (17.0 +/- 3.7%) in 93 concomitant Hb E and SEA-type alpha-thalassemia carriers. The difference was significant (p < 0.01). However, the absence of SEA-type alpha-thalassemia could not be predicted by the higher Hb E level alone, as 3% of double heterozygotes demonstrated a level of more than 25%. Our study confirms a lower Hb E level in double heterozygotes with Hb E and SEA-type alpha-thalassemia. Nevertheless, the difference does not provide sufficient discriminatory power for the reliable exclusion of alpha-thalassemia status.

• Authors: Pimlak Charoenkwan, Chanane Wanapirak, Pattra Thanarattanakorn, Rattanaporn Sekararithi, Rattika Sae-Tung, Somjai Sittipreechacharn, Torpong Sanguansermsri
• Journal: The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health (Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 467-70 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0125-1562 [Print] Thailand
• PMID: 15916057 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobin E

Topics

• Chromatography
• Female
• Genetic Carrier Screening
• Genetic Testing (methods)
• Hemoglobin E (analysis, genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Care (methods)
• Prenatal Diagnosis
• ROC Curve
• Thailand (epidemiology)
• alpha-Thalassemia (blood, epidemiology, genetics)