BACKGROUND: Genes for thalassaemia, haemoglobin S, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase which confer resistance to malaria are found in high frequencies in Nigeria, 25% of the population being carriers of the sickle cell trait while another 25% are hemizygous for the G6PD gene. The frequency of alpha thalassaemia is equally high among Nigerians but there is little information on beta thalassaemia in this population. A recent study however suggest a high prevalence of beta thalassaemia in the same population, hence the need for this study. METHODS: Haemoglobin A(2) and HbF were determined in healthy adults who have haemoglobin A genotype by elution after electrophoresis and alkaline denaturation methods respectively. RESULTS: The mean HbA(2) among the subjects was 3.3% (range 2.0-5.6%) while the mean HbF was 2.6% (range 0.4-8.8%). Twenty-six percent of the subjects had HbA(2) values higher than 3.9% while 86% had HbF values greater than 1%, twenty-four percent had elevated HbA(2) and HbF. The mean HbA(2) value was 2.7% among those with HbF <1%, 3.6% among those with HbF 1-3% and 3.1% among those with HbF >3%. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that the frequency of beta thalassaemia in western Nigeria is higher than previously thought and that many of the individuals studied may be silent carriers of the beta thalassaemia trait. Its presence may also have been masked by the high prevalence of alpha thalassaemia in the same environment. It is therefore important to consider beta thalassaemia trait as a differential diagnosis in patients who present with haemolytic anaemia in this environment.
BACKGROUND: Genes for thalassaemia, haemoglobin S, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase which confer resistance to malaria are found in high frequencies in Nigeria, 25% of the population being carriers of the sickle cell trait while another 25% are hemizygous for the G6PD gene. The frequency of alpha thalassaemia is equally high among Nigerians but there is little information on beta thalassaemia in this population. A recent study however suggest a high prevalence of beta thalassaemia in the same population, hence the need for this study. METHODS: Haemoglobin A(2) and HbF were determined in healthy adults who have haemoglobin A genotype by elution after electrophoresis and alkaline denaturation methods respectively. RESULTS: The mean HbA(2) among the subjects was 3.3% (range 2.0-5.6%) while the mean HbF was 2.6% (range 0.4-8.8%). Twenty-six percent of the subjects had HbA(2) values higher than 3.9% while 86% had HbF values greater than 1%, twenty-four percent had elevated HbA(2) and HbF. The mean HbA(2) value was 2.7% among those with HbF <1%, 3.6% among those with HbF 1-3% and 3.1% among those with HbF >3%. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm that the frequency of beta thalassaemia in western Nigeria is higher than previously thought and that many of the individuals studied may be silent carriers of the beta thalassaemia trait. Its presence may also have been masked by the high prevalence of alpha thalassaemia in the same environment. It is therefore important to consider beta thalassaemia trait as a differential diagnosis in patients who present with haemolytic anaemia in this environment.
Authors: J S Wainscoat; E Kanavakis; W G Wood; E A Letsky; E R Huehns; G W Marsh; D R Higgs; J B Clegg; D J Weatherall Journal: Br J Haematol Date: 1983-03 Impact factor: 6.998
Authors: Alex W Macharia; Sophie Uyoga; Carolyne Ndila; Gideon Nyutu; Johnstone Makale; Metrine Tendwa; Emily Nyatichi; John Ojal; Sarah Atkinson; Thomas N Williams Journal: Haematologica Date: 2018-11-22 Impact factor: 9.941
Authors: Halima Bello-Manga; Aisha A Galadanci; Shehu Abdullahi; Shehi Ali; Binta Jibir; Safiya Gambo; Lawal Haliru; Lori C Jordan; Muktar H Aliyu; Mark Rodeghier; Adetola A Kassim; Michael R DeBaun; Najibah A Galadanci Journal: Br J Haematol Date: 2020-05-16 Impact factor: 6.998