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The frequencies of four malaria associated erythrocyte genetic abnormalities have been established in 1000 Omani subjects. They are: homozygous alpha+ thalassaemia (-alpha/-alpha) 0.45; high Hb A2 beta thalassaemia trait 0.015; sickle trait (Hb A/S) 0.061; and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (Gd-): males 0.27, females 0.11. From our data the alpha+ (-alpha/) thal gene (confirmed by Southern blotting) is pandemic in this population. Moreover, in spite of the very high frequency of Gd-, oxidative haemolytic syndromes are very uncommon. Also preliminary data indicate that among the Omani population with sickle cell disease, homozygosity of the alpha+ gene markedly modifies the clinical picture.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/jmg.30.5.396

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of medical genetics

Publication Date

05/1993

Volume

30

Pages

396 - 400

Addresses

Department of Haematology, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Keywords

Erythrocytes, Fetal Blood, Humans, Sickle Cell Trait, Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, alpha-Thalassemia, beta-Thalassemia, Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase, Hemoglobins, Erythrocyte Indices, Gene Frequency, Heterozygote, Phenotype, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Child, Infant, Newborn, Oman, Female, Male, Ferritins